Let’s make a deal: Artist Charles Billich invited to buy back ‘stolen’ paintings

In the latest twist in his 15-year battle to retrieve a cache of seized art, Sydney artist Charles Billich is weighing whether to bid for his own property.

Charles Billich and wife, Christa at their gallery in the Rocks.

Pricey paintings and artworks by celebrity Sydney artist Charles Billich will be sold for a fraction of their claimed worth by the Croatian town accused of stealing them 15 years ago.

Adding insult to injury for Billich, municipal officials in Lovran – his birthplace on Croatia’s scenic Adriatic coast – have invited him to bid for what he maintains is his own property.

The 32 oil paintings, sketches and illustrations are all that remains of an 87-item cache seized in 2008 in lieu of alleged non-payment of rent and taxes to the Lovran council by Billich, 89.

Christa and Charles Billich at their art Sydney gallery in The Rocks. Picture: Richard Dobson

He and socialite wife Christa Billich, 78, who controls legal title to his art through their gallery business, insist no money was owed and the $2m-plus collection was illegally confiscated.

This week, Lovran Mayor Bojan Simonic advised that what was left of it was being exhibited prior to a silent auction opening on November 30.

But the council’s valuation of the 32 paintings and artworks at €45,577 ($76,495) was a gross underestimation when Billich’s paintings had commanded six-figure sums, his wife said. “I’m not sure I believe anything they say,” Ms Billich told The Weekend Australian. “I mean, they’re what legally belongs to us.”

In a letter to the Billiches’ friend and troubleshooter, independent filmmaker Steve Ravic, who spent three months this year pursuing the outstanding artworks, Mr Simonic indicated the council’s strong preference was to sell to the couple.

“I would sincerely be happiest if you could purchase them, thus concluding this longstanding relationship,” he wrote on Monday.

“I hope you are aware that the public announcement is the only way to change ownership of the paintings. If you are interested, I truly ask you to get in touch.”

A sceptical Ms Billich said the couple were unlikely to bid when they had made an offer last year to meet the council’s price – again at Mr Simonic’s urging – only to hear nothing back.

Instead, they were seeking legal advice in Croatia on going to court to halt the sale. Under the guidelines forwarded by Mr Simonic, written offers above the catalogue price would be considered until December 4.

The council wants to sell the collection as a single lot. This included a series of 12 paintings on Croatian innovators especially prized by Billich and valued at €18,581 ($31,182) by the council.

But his wife said: “We don’t even know if the paintings are original. From what we have been told there are six or seven reproductions among them, and we’re not prepared to be misled again.”

Charles and Christa Billich with the artist’s latest self-portrait. Picture: Richard Dobson

However, Mr Ravic said there was a Plan B. He was in touch with a wealthy Croatian businessman who was prepared to purchase the Lovran collection and donate it to a charitable donation set up by the Billiches.

“Our concern is that this offer to sell to the Billiches is just a tick-the-box exercise by the Mayor so that the paintings can go to one of his cronies … as has happened in the past when they’ve been scammed,” Mr Ravic said on Friday. “I’d like to think this time they’re genuine. There is certainly a pressure on the council to do the right thing but let’s see.”

The case has been raised in federal parliament by Liberal senator Hollie Hughes, who detailed Billich’s “shameful treatment” after he returned to his home town to help in the wake of the collapse of communist Yugoslavia in the 1990s. Mr Simonic was contacted for comment.