Curator Settles $3 M. Sexual Harassment, Antisemitism Lawsuit Against Robilant + Voena Gallery

Curator Virginia Brilliant has settled her lawsuit against art dealers Edmondo di Robilant and Marco Voena, and their eponymous gallery, as first reported by The Art Newspaper. The allegations of the lawsuit included sexual harassment, antisemitism, and misogyny.

Brilliant’s lawyer, Mitchell Cantor, told The Art Newspaper that she had reached “a confidential settlement agreement by which all parties are bound.”

The curator worked for the duo at their global dealership Robilant + Voena from 2019 to 2023. The $3 million-plus lawsuit claimed that Voena called Jewish and Black people “disgusting,” subjected Brilliant to a sexually “toxic” work environment, and used offensive slurs when referring to members of the LGBTQ community.

She said that Robilant berated Jews, called her a slur for female-presenting people, and encouraged her to offer sex to secure consignments, among other complaints. Robilant’s wife also accused of telling Brilliant she was overweight.

Robilant and Voena said through a spokesperson: “We are pleased that Dr Brilliant has withdrawn the lawsuit against us, though we regret that it was ever filed in the first place. We have always wished only the best for Virginia and continue to do so. We are glad that this unfortunate matter is behind us.”

The lawsuit, which was filed in May, claimed that Robilant and Voena offered to pay for Brilliant’s treatment after she was diagnosed with breast cancer – but failed to follow through on the promise.

Brilliant was seeking $3 million on top of additional damages, as well as the reimbursement of her legal fees. She was chasing almost $600,000 for alleged uncompensated labour, $200,000 for the cancer treatment that never materialized, and a $60,000 commission from the 2023 sale of a painting by Orsola Caccias painting.

The two dealers, who have galleries in London, Milan, Paris, St. Moritz, and New York, responded to Brilliant’s accusations in July by filing a partial motion to dismiss her complaint with the New York State Supreme Court. They said her lawsuit was “replete with misinformation in what appears to be a bizarre attempt to harm [their] sterling reputations.”

The settlement between the plaintiff and the art dealers ensures that none of the accusations against them will go to court.