Rosen, Landmarks Conservancy end war over Picasso tapestry

A public battle between Aby Rosen and the Landmarks Conservancy over where to house a Pablo Picasso-painted curtain has finally been settled.

The 95-year-old tapestry, which currently hangs in the Four Seasons Restaurant in the Seagram Building — owned by star developer Rosen — is being relocated to the New York Historical Society.

Rosen, the co-founder of RFR Holding, had wanted to move “Le Tricorne,” arguing that repairs needed to be done to the wall behind the tapestry. But the Landmarks Conservancy, a nonprofit which owns the 19-by-20-foot curtain, claimed moving the fragile piece of art would likely destroy it.

Following several weeks of negotiations, however, the parties agreed to relocate the Picasso original. The artwork will now make the 25-block move to the Historical Society’s Dexter Hall at 77th Street and Central Park West, The New York Times reported.

The tapestry, which depicts a bullfight, has hung in the Seagram Building since 1959. Rosen, whose private art collection is valued at more than $500 million, agreed to pay the expense of removing and transporting the Picasso art. [NYT] — Sasha von Oldershausen