Showing posts with label Bachstitz. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bachstitz. Show all posts

Aug 1, 2018

Bathsheba and the Red Flag Names



The provenance or ownership history of the 17th century Bathsheba at the Norton Simon museum contains several dealers who were flagged in 1946 for their involvement in the Nazi looted art market. 

Bathsheba


Artist:
Cornelis Bisschop (Dutch, 1630-1674)
Date:
c. early 1660s
Medium:
Oil on panel 
Dimensions:
15-1/2 x 13-1/4 in. (39.4 x 33.7 cm) 
Accession Number:
F.1969.45.P 
Copyright:
© The Norton Simon Foundation 
NOT ON VIEW
Provenance:
Stephan von Auspitz, Vienna, in 1931/1932;
[Sanct Luca, Vienna, 1931 to];
Daniel George van Beuningen, Rotterdam by 1932.
[Kurt Walter Bachstitz Gallery, The Hague, 1932 as Maes].
Hans Ludwig Larsen (d. 1937), Noordwijk and Wassenaar, by descent to;
Mrs. H. L. Larsen (S. Larsen-Menzell, later called Mrs. Frank E. Brower); (sale, The Hague, van Marle &Bignell, 25 January 1943, no. 48, sold before the sale on 14 January 1943 to);
E. Göpel for the Führermuseum, Linz; bought through Posse by Hitler 1 March 1943;
Recovered and returned to Dutch government; after lengthy negotiations, Larsen’s estate refused restitution and the painting reverted to the government (sale, Amsterdam, Frederik Muller, 13-19 March 1951, no. 52, ill., as Maes, La Baigneuse);
[Martin B. Asscher, London, 1953].
W. A. Hofer, Berlin 1953.
Ch. van Spaendonck, Tilburg.
[Gebr. Douwes, Amsterdam 1968; sold 1969 to];
The Norton Simon Foundation.

Names mentioned in the provenance include:  Bachstitz - Bignell -Göpel - Posse - Hitler - Muller - Asscher - Hofer - Douwes - Norton Simon.

In 1946, the Art Looting Investigation Unit had this to say:

Bachstitz, Kurt Walter. Basle The Hague, Surinamestr 11 (former). Jewish dealer, active formerly in Berlin, Munich and Amsterdam. Brother-in-law of Hofer, and his former employer. Although on bad terms, Hofer obtained an exit visa from Holland to Switzerland for him, but arranged to have his sister divorce Bachstitz, whereby aryanisation of the Bachstitz firm and/or confiscation of its assets was avoided. Hofer’s sister subsequently took over the firm, and it is possible that Hofer became part owner. Believed not to have engaged in important art looting activity. Conducted extensive business prior to the war with American dealers and collectors.

Bignell. The Hague, Lange Veerhout 58. Owner of Van Marle & Bignell, auction house. Reported to have dealt extensively in confiscated works of art. His firm expanded during the German occupation. Auctioned the Chabot collection on 9 January 1942. Associated with Dr M H H Franssen. In contact with Mumm and Kramer.

Goepel, Dr Erhard. Leipzig, Stieghtstrasse 76. Official Linz agent and buyer in Holland under Posse and Voss. Bought extensively in Holland and also travelled frequently in Belgium and France. Negotiated the forced sale of the Schloss Collection in Paris. Chief contacts: Vitale Bloch (Holland), Wuester, Wandl and Holzapfel (Paris)

Posse, Prof Dr Hans (deceased). Formerly Director of the State Picture Gallery, Dresden. Was appointed by Hitler as Director of the Special Commission for Linz in 1939, and became the most important official purchaser of works of art for Germany from 1939 through 1942. Died Dresden, 7 December 1942. Succeeded by Voss.

Hitler

Mueller & Co, Frederick. Amsterdam, Nieuwe Doelen Straat 16. Auction firm owned by Mensing. 
Mensing. Amsterdam, Nieuwe Doelen Straat 16. Owner of the auction house Frederick Mueller & Co. Dealt with Posse, Miedl and the Dienststelle Muehlmann.

Hofer, Walter Andreas. Nuremberg. Director of the Goering Collection, and Goering’s chief purchasing agent. In custody of US Chief of Counsel, Nuremberg.





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Published on: 8/1/2018
Updated on: 1/17/2020
Author: OAD
Publisher: Open Art Data
Url: https://www.openartdata.org/2018/08/art-provenance-norton-simon.html