In December 1998, at the Washington Conference on Holocaust-Era Assets, eleven "principles on Nazi-confiscated art” were adopted (see http://www.state.gov/www/regions/eur/981203_heac_art_princ.html). The museums of the nations endorsing these principles were thus placed under obligation to investigate their holdings with regard to the latters’ origins and determine whether they include objects of cultural value unlawfully confiscated from their owners during the National Socialist era.

In 1999, a declaration was passed in Berlin in which the German federal government, states and local umbrella organizations confirmed their acceptance of these principles and encouraged the German collections and their legal representatives to undertake and continue the search for cultural assets confiscated in connection with Nazi persecution, particularly from the estates of Jewish citizens.

Since 2002 the "Projekt Provenienzforschung” (Provenance Research Project) to determine the origins of individual artworks has been in progress at the Städtische Galerie and the Städelsches Kunstinstitut. Within the framework of this project, art historian Nicole Roth has been investigating the Städel Museum’s holdings in an effort to find cultural assets whose owners were dispossessed of them during the Nazi era in conjunction with persecution. The primary aim of the research project is to subject the painting collection to exhaustive study with regard to this issue. For every painting acquired after 1933 and predating 1945, the attempt is being made to retrace and document the entire provenance, beginning with the artist. In each case, following clarification of all historical and legal aspects, a decision is made with regard to the payment of restitution to the former owner’s heirs. This process is being carried out in adherence to the principles set forth in the Washington declaration as well as the declaration of the German federal government, states and local umbrella organizations.

Below is a list of works from the collection whose provenances are incomplete or whose previous owners could not be identified with certainty. They may represent cultural assets confiscated within the framework of National Socialist persecution or legitimate purchases, donations and bequests. These works are likewise registered with the Koordinierungsstelle für Kulturgutverluste (Germany’s central office for the documentation of lost cultural property; http://www.lostart.de) in Magdeburg. The data can be updated on a continuous basis.

Nicole Roth
roth[at]staedelmuseum.de

These works are also registered with the central office for the documentation of lost cultural property (http://www.lostart.de). The information can be updated at any time.