Swiss Looking Into Doctor’s 2002 Art Bequest to Unicef

Authorities in Switzerland have opened an investigation into the transfer of one of Europe’s largest private art collections to global children’s charity Unicef by a late physician and philanthropist, according to The New York Times.

Gustav Rau’s bequest to Unicef Germany has been the subject of contention and court fights since his death in 2002, centering on whether Dr. Rau was mentally fit when he rewrote his will in the charity’s favor in 1999 and approved the transfer of nearly 800 works to Unicef months before he died.

The inquiry was sought by officials in the Swiss district of Bulach, where the collection was stored during Dr. Rau’s life. They contend the foundations to which he initially gave the art did not have authority to turn it over to Unicef. The charity expects to reap more than $161-million from sales of the works, which began this year.