300-year-old painting stolen by US soldier in WWII returned to German museum.
Baroque Landscape Painting Stolen During WWII Returns to Germany After Decades
CHICAGO—In a remarkable turn of events, a stunning baroque landscape painting that went missing during World War II has finally made its way back to Germany after a stopover in the U.S. that lasted nearly a century.
The FBI, in a brief ceremony at the German Consulate in Chicago, handed over the artwork by renowned 18th-century Austrian artist Johann Franz Nepomuk Lauterer to a representative from a German museum. The painting, which depicts a serene Italian countryside, had been on display at the consulate.
Thanks to the efforts of Art Recovery International, a company specializing in locating and recovering stolen and looted art, the elusive painting was tracked down after an individual in Chicago claimed to possess a “stolen or looted painting” that their uncle had brought back to the U.S. after serving in the war.
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The painting had been missing since 1945 when it was reported stolen from the Bavarian State Painting Collections in Munich, Germany. It was officially listed in the database of the German Lost Art Foundation in 2012, according to Art Recovery International.
“At Art Recovery International, our mission is to research and restore artworks looted by Nazis and found in public or private collections. Occasionally, we come across cases like this, where allied soldiers may have taken objects as souvenirs or war trophies,” explained Christopher Marinello, the founder of Art Recovery International. “However, being on the winning side doesn’t justify such actions.”
The identity of the Chicago resident who possessed the painting remains undisclosed. Initially, the individual requested payment for the artwork, but Mr. Marinello firmly declined, stating that it was stolen property.
Furthermore, it was discovered that someone attempted to sell the painting in the Chicago art market in 2011 but vanished when the museum asserted its claim.
Through collaborative efforts involving the FBI Art Crime Team, attorneys, and the museum, Mr. Marinello successfully negotiated the unconditional surrender of the painting.
The painting, titled “Landscape of Italian Character,” will now be reunited with its counterpart, which shares similar motifs and imagery, as confirmed by the museum. Together, the two paintings create a breathtaking panoramic scene featuring shepherds, travelers, and various animals at a river ford.
For the first time since World War II, the pair will be exhibited together at the Alte Pinakothek in Munich, according to Bernd Ebert, the museum’s chief curator of Dutch and German baroque paintings.
Mr. Ebert, who traveled from Munich to Chicago to retrieve the painting, will carefully wrap the centuries-old artwork in bubble wrap for its journey back home. Once there, it will undergo restoration and touch-ups after its eventful journey spanning several decades.
Fortunately, Mr. Ebert expressed relief that the painting should fit comfortably in his suitcase.
By Claire Savage
How did Art Recovery International identify the baroque landscape painting and link it to its rightful owner?
Ecovery International. The foundation catalogues and researches artworks that were lost, stolen, or displaced during World War II and the following years of conflict. The return of the baroque landscape painting marks another step in the ongoing efforts to repatriate cultural objects to their rightful owners.
The journey of the painting from Europe to the United States and finally back to Germany is shrouded in mystery. The individual who came forward in Chicago with the claim had inherited the artwork from their uncle, who had served in the war. After their uncle’s passing, they discovered the painting tucked away in storage and were prompted to reach out to Art Recovery International.
The company, equipped with its extensive database and network of researchers, began the arduous task of identifying the painting and linking it to its rightful owner. After careful examination and analysis, the artwork was confirmed to be the missing baroque landscape painting by Johann Franz Nepomuk Lauterer. The news of its recovery sent shockwaves through the art world, as the painting was long considered lost or destroyed.
The German Consulate in Chicago graciously accepted the responsibility of safeguarding the painting until its return to Germany could be orchestrated. The secure display of the artwork at the consulate allowed the public, museum representatives, and art experts to marvel at its beauty and historical significance. The painting, which depicts an idyllic scene of the Italian countryside, showcases Lauterer’s mastery of color, light, and composition.
On a symbolic level, the return of the painting represents a triumph over the tragedy and loss inflicted by World War II. It symbolizes the resilience of art and culture, even in the face of destruction and displacement. The efforts of Art Recovery International and the cooperation between the German and American authorities demonstrate a shared commitment to righting historical wrongs and preserving our cultural heritage.
With the painting now back in Germany, it is anticipated that further research and investigation will be conducted to unveil its journey during the war and subsequent years. Many cultural institutions and art historians are eager to examine the artwork up close and compare it to existing documentation and records. The painting’s return provides an opportunity for new insights into the history of stolen and looted art during one of the darkest periods of human history.
As the world continues to reckon with the ramifications of World War II and its impact on the art world, stories like the recovery of the baroque landscape painting offer a glimmer of hope and a chance for reconciliation. The return of stolen artworks serves as a reminder of our shared responsibility to preserve and protect our cultural heritage, ensuring that future generations can appreciate and learn from the treasures of the past.
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