Art Lawyers in Germany – Advising Collectors, Museums and the International Art Market
We are a German law firm with a particular focus on art law and cultural property law. Based in Munich, we advise and represent private and institutional collectors, museums, foundations, galleries, art dealers and auction houses in Germany and in cross-border matters.
Our practice covers art transactions and art sales, auction law, authenticity and art forgery disputes, Nazi-looted art and restitution, cultural property law and litigation involving works of art.
We combine many years of legal experience with an in-depth understanding of the art market and its participants.
Art Auctions & Auction Law
We advise bidders, consignors and auction houses on all legal aspects of art auctions in Germany, including auction terms and conditions, consignment agreements and disputes concerning authenticity, attribution, provenance, estimates and liability.
We represent both German and international clients in disputes arising from purchases and sales through German auction houses.
Art Transactions & Art Sales
We advise collectors, buyers, sellers, galleries and art dealers on German and international art transactions.
Our work includes drafting and reviewing art purchase agreements and private sale agreements as well as advising on authenticity, provenance, title, warranties and liability.
In cross-border transactions, we advise international clients on the particular requirements of German law applicable to the acquisition or sale of art in Germany.
Art Forgery & Authenticity Disputes
We advise clients in cases involving art forgeries, incorrect attributions and disputes over the authenticity of works of art.
Our lawyers assess and pursue claims for rescission of art purchases, recovery of the purchase price and damages, including potential claims against sellers, auction houses and experts.
Where necessary, we work closely with art historians, provenance researchers, restorers and specialised experts.
Nazi-Looted Art & Restitution
We advise museums, foundations, collectors, other current possessors and heirs of former owners on Nazi-looted art, provenance and restitution claims in Germany. Our work includes assessing provenance and ownership issues, negotiating restitution claims and representing clients in proceedings before the German Arbitration Court for Nazi-Looted Property as well as in civil litigation where applicable.
German Cultural Property Law
Germany has extensive rules governing the import and export of art and cultural property. We advise international collectors, dealers, galleries, museums and auction houses on the German Cultural Property Protection Act (Kulturgutschutzgesetz – KGSG) and related import and export requirements. International owners planning to move, sell or export important works of art from Germany should consider these requirements before a transaction or shipment takes place.
Art Litigation in Germany
We represent German and international clients in art-related litigation before German courts. Questions of evidence and expert testimony are often particularly important in art litigation. Our cases include disputes concerning authenticity and attribution, art purchases and private sales,
auction transactions, ownership and title, provenance and restitution, damages to works of art, professional liability, and contractual disputes involving collectors, dealers, galleries and auction houses.
Dr. Louis Rönsberg – German Art Lawyer
Dr. Louis Rönsberg is a German lawyer and partner at SLB LAW in Munich. He has advised and represented clients in art law matters for many years.
His practice focuses in particular on art auctions, art transactions, authenticity and art forgery disputes, Nazi-looted art and restitution, cultural property law and complex art litigation in Germany.
Dr. Rönsberg advises private and institutional collectors, heirs, museums, foundations, galleries, art dealers and auction houses from Germany and abroad.
He regularly acts in matters involving international clients, cross-border transactions and disputes with a connection to Germany.
Dr. Rönsberg has been recognised by Best Lawyers for Art Law since 2018 and is also recognised for Litigation. Handelsblatt lists him among Germany’s leading lawyers in the fields of Art Law and Dispute Resolution.
Experience & Recognition
Many Years of Experience in German Art Law
- Best Lawyers – Art Law & Litigation
- Handelsblatt – Germany’s Best Lawyers, Art Law & Dispute Resolution
- Legal 500 – City Fokus Munich
Selected Matters
- 2025 – Rubens, “Landscape with Cows” – Restitution matter
- 2024 – Gustav Klimt, “Portrait of Fräulein Lieser” – Restitution matter
- 2024 – Ploschitzki v. MARKK – Restitution dispute concerning a historic Buddha sculpture
- 2023 – Heinrich Campendonk, “Wirtshaus” – Restitution matter
- 2023 – Art Forgery Litigation Concerning copies of works by Leo Putz & Edward Cucuel
- 2022 – Art Kite Collection – Legal advice concerning a collection achieving an auction result of approximately €8.7 million
- 2019 – Bernheimer v. Free State of Bavaria – Restitution matter
- 2014 – Cornelius Gurlitt / Munich Art Trove – Legal advice in connection with one of Germany’s most significant Nazi-looted art and restitution matters
Our Art Law Team
Our lawyers advise and represent clients across the principal areas of German art and auction law.
Lawyer – Rechtsanwalt | Partner
Art Law | Auction Law | Restitution | Art Litigation | Foundations
Lawyer – Rechtsanwältin | Partnerin
German-Italian Art Law | Art Trade | Cultural Property Law
Lawyer – Rechtsanwalt | Senior Associate
Art Litigation | Art Trade | Transport & Insurance
Lawyer – Rechtsanwältin | Associate
Cultural Property Law | Art & Inheritance | Museum Law
Our firm focuses on German art law and advises collectors, art dealers, auction houses, galleries, museums and foundations from Germany and abroad on legal matters concerning the international art market.
„Unser Ziel ist der wirtschaftliche Erfolg unserer Mandanten. Dafür setzen wir uns ein.“
Dr. Louis Rönsberg
Rechtsanwalt, Partner
German Art Law – Comprehensive Legal Advice
We assist clients throughout the entire process – from the legal assessment of an art transaction to contract drafting and negotiations and, where necessary, the enforcement or defence of claims before German courts. In complex cases, we work with experienced provenance researchers, art historians, restorers and specialised experts. Our objective is clear: to protect our clients’ legal and economic interests while providing pragmatic solutions that reflect the realities of the international art market.
FAQs about German Art Law
What is German art law?
Art law is not a single codified area of German law. It encompasses the legal rules governing the purchase, sale, ownership, provenance, exhibition, inheritance and transportation of works of art and cultural property. Important areas include art transactions, auction law, authenticity and art forgery disputes, ownership and title, Nazi-looted art and restitution, cultural property protection and art litigation.
When should I consult a German art lawyer before buying art in Germany?
For valuable works of art, legal advice should ideally be obtained before signing a purchase agreement or placing a significant bid at an auction. A German art lawyer can review the purchase agreement or auction terms and advise on authenticity and provenance representations, ownership and title, warranties, liability and German cultural property regulations. This can be particularly important for international buyers purchasing art from a German seller, gallery or auction house.
I bought a fake artwork in Germany. What can I do?
If a work of art purchased in Germany turns out to be a forgery or there are serious doubts about its authenticity or attribution, the buyer may have claims under German law. Depending on the circumstances, potential remedies can include rescission of the purchase, repayment of the purchase price and damages. The legal position will depend in particular on the purchase agreement, representations made by the seller or auction house, applicable terms and conditions and the available evidence concerning authenticity.
Who can advise on Nazi-looted art and restitution claims in Germany?
Restitution matters involving Nazi-looted art require both an understanding of German law and experience with the historical and provenance issues involved. We advise and represent heirs of former owners as well as museums, foundations, collectors and other current holders of works of art. Our work includes provenance and ownership issues, negotiations over restitution claims and proceedings before the German Arbitration Court for Nazi-Looted Property.
What should I consider when importing or exporting art from Germany?
The cross-border movement of works of art and cultural property may be subject to German and European import and export restrictions. Depending on the type, age, value, provenance and destination of the object, an export licence or documentation concerning its lawful provenance may be required. Before shipping an important work of art into or out of Germany, it can therefore be advisable to clarify the applicable requirements under German cultural property law.
Do you represent international clients in Germany?
Yes. We regularly advise and represent international collectors, heirs, museums, foundations, galleries, art dealers and auction houses in matters involving German law. We act in cross-border art transactions and disputes and represent clients before German courts and authorities. Where a matter also requires advice under foreign law, we work with specialised lawyers and experts in the relevant jurisdiction.
How much does an initial consultation cost?
We believe that legal fees should be transparent. Before accepting a mandate, we first need to understand the nature and scope of the matter. There is no charge merely for providing us with sufficient information to determine whether and how we can assist. If we accept the mandate, our fees are agreed in writing.
Aktuelles!
Do You Need a German Art Lawyer?
We advise international collectors, heirs, museums, foundations, galleries, art dealers and auction houses on transactions and disputes involving works of art and collections in Germany.
Whether you are purchasing art from a German auction house, facing an authenticity dispute, pursuing or defending a restitution claim or dealing with German cultural property regulations, we can advise and represent you in Germany.