Molly McQueen, granddaughter of the legendary actor Steve McQueen, has filed a lawsuit against South Carolina lawyer Brent Borchert over a Jackson Pollock painting valued at $68 million. The legal dispute centers around a drip painting that McQueen claims rightfully belongs to her family's estate, stemming from an incomplete property exchange that allegedly took place decades ago.
According to the lawsuit filed in August with the Superior Court of California in Los Angeles County, the late actor Steve McQueen had transferred the Jackson Pollock painting to Rudolph and Pamela Borchert in anticipation of receiving a motorcycle and property in Latigo Canyon in return. However, the complaint alleges that the expected exchange never materialized - one of the Borcherts crashed the motorcycle, and the property title was never transferred to McQueen.
Brent Borchert, who inherited the painting along with his sister Bettina following their parents' deaths, told the Mirror that he grew up with the Pollock artwork hanging on the walls of his family's home. The Borcherts had been bequeathed the painting as part of their parents' art collection in Malibu, California, and Brent now lives with his family in South Carolina.
The lawsuit contends that when the property exchange failed to occur, Steve McQueen demanded the return of the Pollock painting within a reasonable timeframe. However, according to the legal filing, the Borcherts failed to return the artwork to the actor. Molly McQueen now argues that she is entitled to immediate possession of the valuable painting as the rightful heir to her grandfather's estate.
When approached by the Mirror about the allegations, Borchert acknowledged that the situation "rang a vague bell," but emphasized his limited knowledge of the original transaction. "I don't know if I was even born when the deal took place and it wasn't something me and my dad ever talked about," he explained. He recalled having a brief conversation with his mother about the painting, during which she mentioned that his father had "made some sort of deal" involving "something about a motorcycle and the house," though he described the details as "very hazy."
Borchert expressed willingness to negotiate, stating: "If they're willing to be reasonable, and then they can show me something that makes me believe something went on that wasn't right, I'll come to an agreement. But if they can't, then I won't." This suggests that the dispute may potentially be resolved through negotiations rather than lengthy court proceedings.
Steve McQueen, nicknamed the "King of Cool," was an iconic American actor who achieved fame through memorable roles in films such as "The Great Escape" (1963), "Bullitt" (1968), and "Papillon" (1973). He passed away in 1980 from a heart attack while battling mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos exposure. His status as a cultural icon and collector has made this lawsuit particularly noteworthy in both entertainment and art circles.
Jackson Pollock, the artist behind the disputed painting, was a leading figure in the Abstract Expressionist movement and remains best known for his revolutionary drip painting technique. His works have achieved astronomical values in the art market, with his 1948 painting "Number 17A" fetching $200 million in a private sale in 2016, making it one of the most expensive artworks ever sold.
Neither the lawyers representing Borchert nor those representing McQueen responded to requests for comment regarding the ongoing litigation. The case highlights the complex issues that can arise when valuable artworks change hands through informal agreements, particularly when proper documentation and legal transfers are not completed.
