nazi stolen art found

Old Bookaroo

Silver Member
Dec 4, 2008
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franklin:

It's Nazi War loot because many (if not all) of the sellers had no choice. They were driven out of Germany with little or no notice and no way to take their possessions. The dealers who purchased those works of art knew the sellers, literally, had a gun to their heads when they sold.

Hardly a case of a willing seller and a willing buyer.

Good luck to all,

~The Old Bookaroo

2.0: Some additional information has come out about this trove.

Hildebrand Gurlitt was an art dealer who lost a museum job because he was Jewish, but was hired by Joseph Goebbels to sell art confiscated by the Nazis.

The party confiscated "degenerate" art that was supposed to have been destroyed after it was exhibited. Happily, much of it was not - although the motives of those who saved it remain unknown.

The German army systematically looted museums and private collections in conquored nations. This was an organized plunder - some art went to the government, much of it into the hands of Goering and his ilk.

As mentioned above, much was sold under force for pennies (well, probably pfennigs).

And, because the Gurlitts were dealers, some works may have been purchased legitimately before the War.

It's a very complicated case. Because works of art are generally well documented, it will be sorted out. In time.

Meanwhile, it appears Cornelius Gurlitt, Hildebrand's son, has disappeared.
 

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