Old Masters seized by Gestapo returned
Summary
This report,
‘Report
of the Spoliation Advisory Panel in respect of three drawings now in the
possession of the Courtauld Institute of Art’ (HC 200) deals with a claim
brought on behalf of the heirs of the late Dr Arthur Feldmann in respect of
three drawings now in the possession of the Courtauld Institute of Art.
The claimants contended that they lost possession on 15 March 1939 when the
drawings, together with the rest of Dr Feldmann’s large collection, were seized
by the Gestapo.
Subsequently the drawings were sold by an
anonymous vendor at Sothebys on 16 October 1946, being bought by a Bond Street
dealer which sold them the same day to a collector named Witt.
The
drawings formed part of the Witt bequest of over 3000 Old Master drawings made
to the Courtauld in 1952.
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How does it affect me?
If you work in the arts sector, this affects you.
The Committee has
verified that the drawings (probably, in one case) did belong to Dr Feldmann,
and that he was deprived of them by an act of spoliation by the Gestapo. As the
Courtauld is not in a position to make an ex gratia payment, the Committee
recommends that the drawings are returned to the claimants.
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