Overview
- The museum announced on Nov. 19 that it returned the work to the selling gallery and recovered the full purchase price.
- It originally acquired the oil painting in 1999 as a 1911–12 work by French Cubist Jean Metzinger titled “Cyclist.”
- Laboratory analysis detected synthetic pigments introduced after the early 20th century, contradicting the claimed date.
- Overseas reports and information from German police linked the painting to alleged forger Wolfgang Beltracchi, leading the museum to judge it a forgery in March.
- The seller agreed on Oct. 20 to refund ¥67.2 million, transferred the funds on Oct. 22, and the museum returned the painting on Nov. 18.