It was a seemingly hopeless quest to restore a family’s heritage that had a happy ending. The family of German-Jewish art collector Fritz Gutmann searched for his paintings for nearly 80 years. Gutmann and his wife were killed in German death camps after their art collection was taken, probably for Hitler’s use. Their grandson Simon Goodman (the family changed the spelling of the name), wrote a book about the search for his family’s looted art. Then, last year, Christie’s auction house was contacted by people who had possession of a painting they thought might have been part of Gutmann’s  collection. Perhaps they wondered because of information in Goodman’s book? Christie’s identified the painting and it was returned to the heirs, who live in Los Angeles. Christie’s and the unidentified tipster indeed had the “Portrait of John Frederick I, Elector of Saxony.” It was painted by Lucas Cranach the Elder in the 16th century. Goodman and the portrait were reunited in New York City and it was decided that the painting will be sold April 19. It is expected to bring $1 to $2 million. Goodman has found only about a third of his family’s collection. That means there are many valuable masterpieces still waiting to be recovered.

 

Photo: © CHRISTIE’S 2018