The "1934 Farmer" oil-on-canvas painting was put up for auction by a Cherry Hill gallery.
CHERRY HILL TWP. -- A federally-commissioned New Deal-era painting is at the center of a lawsuit between the U.S. government and a Cherry Hill art dealer.
Per the suit filed on May 23, the "1934 Farmer" piece rightfully belongs to the federal government because it was commissioned as part of the Depression-era program.
Matthew Schwartz bought the John D. Slavin oil-on-canvas work several years ago and restored it, according to the Courier-Post. Attempts to contact Schwartz on Tuesday were unsuccessful.
The piece was identified in October 2015 when Schwartz attempted to sell it on eBay for $8,500, according to the lawsuit, which adds that the description of the piece noted its federally-administered Public Works of Art Project metal plaque and identification label.
The Great Depression in New Jersey
According to the suit, Schwartz rebuffed efforts late last year by the General Service Administration to reclaim the painting. More than 460 Works Project Administration pieces similar to Schwartz's -- totaling more than $4.3 million -- have been recovered by the GSA since 2001, spokeswoman Sarah Breen told the Associated Press.
According to the suit, similar Depression-era paintings commissioned by the feds at time have been put on loan, but never with ownership being relinquished.
Schwartz told the Courier-Post that he did not plan to return the piece, said it was his restoration that "makes it desirable" and, according to the lawsuit, listed it on eBay for a second time at a higher price sans identification labels.
The U.S. government maintains in the lawsuit that it owns the painting, that Schwartz is interfering with U.S. rights, demands he return it and seeks an injunction preventing him from selling the work while the litigation is pending.
Greg Adomaitis may be reached at gadomaitis@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregAdomaitis. Find NJ.com on Facebook.