George Inness – “Shades of Evening”
In January, Richard and Becky Hearty, from Cross Plains, Tennessee, filed a lawsuit against the Bonfoey Gallery, of Cleveland, for coercing Richard’s mother into consigning an important painting by George Inness to them. According to the complaint, Richard is the owner of the painting and had opted out of a consignment agreement with the gallery some 5 years ago. Then, this past November, the gallery’s president (Richard Moore) induced Richard Hearty’s mother, Mary, into a new consignment agreement and never contacted Richard (the owner) about the deal.
Once the gallery got possession of the painting they shipped it to Neil Morris – a Florida dealer – who, along with Bonfoey and Moore, are now accused of replevin, conversion, intentional infliction of emotional distress, fraud, breach of bailment, civil theft and civil conspiracy.
Source: Consignment of 1877 Inness Landscape Inspires Suit