An auction house is suing a Manhattan heiress to a $400 million DuPont fortune, accusing her of trying to sell a forged painting by French master Nicolas de Stael.
Dr. Zelda DuPont, daughter of the late DuPont President Irenee DuPont I, secured an $80,000 advance from Heritage Auctioneers in 2014 in anticipation of a $600,000 sale of the untitled 1952 painting, according to the Manhattan Supreme Court filing.
Heritage had told DuPont that the work needed to be authenticated by a French committee.
The 80-year-old heiress responded with a grab bag of excuses to delay the authentication, according to court papers.
Last November, she finally sent a blurred copy purportedly showing the painting in the artist’s studio that had been taken by her father, the suit says.
Comite Nicolas de Stael in Paris ultimately declared it a forgery, the suit says.
Heritage is suing for the return of the $80,000 advance plus $20,000 in interest and fees.
DuPont did not return messages for comment.
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