HOUSTON – No clear victor emerged following an appeal centered on an auction house’s selling of a Picasso painting.
Brett Stettner attended an auction at which he placed bids on 30 items, including an advertised Picasso painting. When he failed to pay, Lewis & Maese Auction sued him.
Court records show Lewis & Maese filed summary judgment motions, which the trial court granted. Stettner moved for a new trial but was denied.
On appeal, Stettner argued the trial court abused its discretion in failing to grant a new trial because he did not receive notice of the summary judgment motions and that Lewis & Maese failed to demonstrate its entitlement to summary judgment.
On Sept. 29, the 14th Court of Appeals reversed the trial court’s judgment at to Lewis & Maese’s breach of contract claims but affirmed the lower court’s judgment in all other respects.
Appeals case No. 14-18-00928-CV