MoMa still has so many Nazi-era provenance gaps in 2026

More than 20 years after launching the provenance research project (PRP), where is MoMa?

After publishing demonstrably false provenances for Chagall's "Over Vitebsk", Kirchner's "Sand Hills in Engadine" and "Artillerymen in the Shower" as well as histories of questionable quality for other artworks, many Nazi-era gaps remain in 2026. 

Here are just a couple examples of the kinds of questions that can be asked:

Madame Derain in Green

André Derain (French, 1880–1954.) Madame Derain in Green[Portrait de Madame Derain]. (1907) Oil on canvas, 28 3/4 x 23 5/8" (73 x 60 cm) The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Given anonymously Collection work meeting criteria specified in Introduction. 143.42 Other works by this artist
Provenance in 2005: Marius de Zayas, Paris and New York. [Until 1917 or 1920] Charles Sheeler, Ridgefield, Connecticut. Purchased from de Zayas' gallery, New York, [1917 or 1920]; by 1939 The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Given anonymously, 1942 Alternate titles: Woman in Green Dress, c. 1906 (Former title) Portrait d'Alice Derain

https://web.archive.org/web/20050307023617/http://www.moma.org/collection/provenance/items/143.42.html

Provenance in February 2026:

1907, André Derain.

Before December 12, 1914, Galerie Kahnweiler, Paris.

Paul Guillaume, Paris.

By 1917 - ?, Marius de Zayas, Paris and New York.

? - 1942, Charles Sheeler (1883-1965), Ridgefield, Connecticut, acquired from Marius de Zayas.

1942, The Museum of Modern Art, New York, acquired as anonymous gift.

https://www.moma.org/collection/works/78974

Nazi era provenance questions: From whom and when did Charles Sheeler acquire this Derain? 

Why have the MoMa's provenance researchers suggested so many different acquisition dates by Sheeler (1917 or 1920, ?, 1942)

 

Derain in the Nazi Era Provenance Internet Portal

Numerous artworks by André Derain have been listed by American museums on NEPIP, the Nazi Era Provenance Internet Portal

This post contains a list of NEPIP artworks by Derain with the title, accession number and museum collection.