Close to 1,400 modernist artworks “confiscated” by the Nazis have been discovered in Munich. A tax collector’s search for an 80-year-old man’s assets raised questions, and the artworks were found in a dark room in his apartment. Some have already been identified as being among 16,000 known pictures confiscated as “degenerate art” by the Nazis. The newly discovered pieces, by Matisse, Picasso, Chagall, Klee and other famous artists, are now being studied by experts. The 80-year-old, who inherited the paintings, drawings, prints and lithographs from his father–an art collector friendly with Nazi leaders–may have sold a few pieces to cover his living expenses. Finding the original owners and returning the works of art will be a major legal problem.
Photo: Npr.org | Stolen art photo taken by Nazis in WWII, Archives des Musees Nationaux A Paris
I find this to be just a fascinating story even for 2014.
There is a movie coming out called Monuments Men with George Clooney on this very topic.
I am in between jobs – where I live the job market is in distress (Rochester NY) – My dream is to be hired to assist in locating the family members of the stolen art. thanks kimmycostan@yahoo.com
The man is probably too old to punish but shame on him and his family.So much blood was spilled for that art, it’s too much to absorb.