<i>Jewish collector's heirs sue Hungary for return of art works</i>

The heirs of a Jewish banker whose vast art collection was allegedly confiscated during World War II have sued the Hungarian government demanding its return, a report said yesterday.
In what the New York Times called the world's largest unresolved Holocaust art claim, they are seeking the return of more than 40 works by masters such as El Greco, Lucas Cranach the Elder, Zurbaran, van Dyck, Velazquez and Monet.
The heirs of Hungarian banker Baron Mor Lipot Herzog filed the lawsuit on Tuesday in the United States District Court in Washington against the government of Hungary and several museums that it oversees.
Lawyers for the plaintiffs are also asking the Hungarian government for an accounting of all art, including paintings, sculptures and other works, from the Herzog family that it has in its possession.
"It's a very emotional subject," David de Csepel, a great-grandson of Baron Herzog, told the Times.
De Csepel is one of a dozen relatives of Herzog who is seeking return of the priceless works. He told the Times that the decision to file the suit came after decades of frustration with the Hungarian government.
"I want to see justice done. My great-grandfather was one of the most famous collectors in all of Europe. His passion and love of art is well known," said de Csepel, who lives in Los Angeles.
Michael Shuster, a lawyer for the Herzog family, said that Hungary had been "one of the countries that has been the most recalcitrant" about returning looted art.
"While other countries have cooperated," he said, "Hungary has been bucking that trend."