Who Owns The Bela Lugosi Oil Portrait?

Back in 1932, actor Bela Lugosi had his portrait painted by Geza Kende. It is described as a full-length portrait of Lugosi in a gray suit and waist coat.

Lugosi had the portrait commissioned in 1932 and it was displayed in his homes up to his death. Following his death, Bela Lugosi Jr. wanted the painting but, apparently, Lugosi's widow Hope Lininger and he had a dispute over legal cost money and she refused to let him have it and sold it for $5,000, according to author Arthur Lennig. 

Above, Bela Lugosi's body being wheeled past the Kende painting in August 1956.

It was ultimately sold at auction to Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett and was later donated to the Academy Museum. 

Arthur Lennig, Lugosi Biographer, Passes Away

Arthur Lennig, who wrote the probably definitive biography of Bela Lugosi, has passed away.

His niece, Rebecca Bartlett, posted at the Bela Lugosi Appreciation Society Facebook page yesterday:

Our uncle Arthur Lennig passed away. Wanted this group to know. 

Lennig's book The Immortal Count has to be the most comprehensive biography on the horror star. It included photos of his meeting with Lugosi when he was a teen. My roommate at the time had been so engrossed in the book that she carried it everywhere.

Above, Arthur Lennig with his idol, Bela Lugosi, circa late 1940s. Author's collection.

UPDATE: 

Laura Wagner posted the following:

R.I.P., ARTHUR LENNIG (February 22, 1933 – October 2026), author of IMMORTAL COUNT: THE LIFE AND FILMS OF BELA LUGOSI (an updated version of THE COUNT: THE LIFE AND FILMS OF BELA "DRACULA" LUGOSI) and STROHEIM.