ISBN:
9780865652637
Language:
English
Pages:
248 Seiten
,
Illustrationen
Year of publication:
2010
Keywords:
Kunstraub
;
Restitution (Kulturpolitik)
;
Nationalsozialismus
;
Kunstsammler
Abstract:
This book presents the story of 15 art collectors that had their property confiscated during WWII by high ranking German officials. Most probably assume that reparations have been made to all who had property taken; but the Allied governments concentrated on art stolen from museums. Families are still trying to acquire the works that were stolen from them. Fifteen families are highlighted in this effort. The story of the attempts to retrieve their stolen family collections is described, from the acquisition; including their family history and what happened to them in WWII and since. Photos of the family, as well as the art and reproductions of relevant documents are shown. The book is part picture and part story. All scenarios are well investigated and especially the solving of the mysteries as to what has happened to the works since the war. This is a mystery, a thriller, especially since many of this art was assumed to be destroyed during the war. A historical-legal commentary sums up the situation today: " it is still up to the claimants themselves to take the initiative, to undertake costly and time-intensive research, to conduct restitution negotiations that may drag on for years". This is a book that both those interested in art and the lingering consequences of WWII would find interesting.
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