Showing posts with label restitution Belgium. Show all posts
Showing posts with label restitution Belgium. Show all posts

Feb 25, 2020

WWII Provenance Research in Belgium: Royal Museums of Fine Arts

A couple of years ago Belgium announced it would publish the looted artworks in its public art collections on a central website. 

The announcement came after journalist Geert Sels  reported in De Standaard that 78 looted works of art returned to Belgium after the war remained unpublished. 

Since then the Royal Museums of Fine Arts has published on the internet a  Cultural Goods Database - Second World War.



In this post we look at Belgium's Cultural Goods website and database.






1. Description of Belgium's Looted art site and database.


url: https://cultural-goods-wwii.fine-arts-museum.be/en/artworks


 The site, called "Cultural Goods World War II", displays images prominently and lists the artists**. 

There are links to the paintings and to information about them.





4. WWII Provenances: together in a table

Here are the provenances of the artworks that the Royal Museums of Fine Arts listed on its Cultural Goods Database - Second World War.

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UrlArtistDimensionsInventory NumberProvenance
https://cultural-goods-wwii.fine-arts-museum.be/en/artworks/derick-baegertDerick Baegert132 cm x 78,5 cm6586Former collection Ruffo de Bonneval, in possession of de Wynter, Bruges; purchased by Dr. Göpel in 1944 via Gaston Demeter for a sum of 1 million BF for the Linz Collection of A. Hitler; recovered by the American Monuments, Fine Arts & Archives division in 1945 (Linz no. 3663); transferred to the Collection Point München (Munich no. 7512); returned to Belgium (Department for Economic Recovery no. A.87); assigned in 1951 to the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Brussels.
https://cultural-goods-wwii.fine-arts-museum.be/en/artworks/osias-beertOsias Beert182 cm x 140 cm6588Sold in 1940 by the art collector Pieter Smidt van Gelder, Antwerp, to Kajetan Mühlmann for 14,000 Fl(orins), resold to A. Hitler for the Linz Collection, this collection was placed in the salt mines of Alt-Aussee (Aussee no. 2987), recovered by the American Monuments, Fine Arts & Archives division in 1945 (Linz no. 1421), transferred to the Collection Point München (Munich no. 4338), returned to Belgium (Department for Economic Recovery no. A.63), assigned in 1951 to the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Brussels.
https://cultural-goods-wwii.fine-arts-museum.be/en/artworks/osias-beert-1Osias Beert6591Sold on 12 December 1942 by the art collector Count Jean de Bousies to the Kulturverwaltung des Hansesstadt Hamburg for the Kunsthalle Hamburg for 25,000 RM, returned to Belgium from the British zone (Economic Recovery Service no. B.48), assigned in 1951 to the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Brussels.
https://cultural-goods-wwii.fine-arts-museum.be/en/artworks/bohemian-schoolBohemian School44 cm x 34 cm6585Sold by the widow of the collector Van Gelder (Ukkel) together with six other paintings to Andreas Hofer on 13 May 1941 for a total sum of 220,000 RM. (A. Hofer was curator and purchaser for the art collection of Hermann Göring). This collection was transferred from Carinhall to Berchtesgaden in 1945, recovered by the American Monuments, Fine Arts & Archives division at Berchtesgaden in 1945 (Berchtesgaden no. 883), transferred to the Collection Point München (Munich no. 5931), returned to Belgium (Economic Recovery Service no. A.42), assigned in 1951 to the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Brussels.
https://cultural-goods-wwii.fine-arts-museum.be/en/artworks/jan-i-bruegelJan I Bruegel Attributed to10 cm x 14 cm6594Sold in 1941 by the art collector Pieter Smidt van Gelder, Antwerp, to Kajetan Mühlmann for 14,000 Fl(orins), resold to A. Hitler for the Linz Collection, this collection was placed in the salt mines of Alt-Aussee (Aussee no. 3147), recovered by the American Monuments, Fine Arts & Archives division in 1945 (Linz no. 2189), transferred to the Collection Point München (Munich no. 4498), returned to Belgium (Economic Recovery Service no. A.72), assigned in 1951 to the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Brussels.
https://cultural-goods-wwii.fine-arts-museum.be/en/artworks/pieter-ii-bruegelPieter II Bruegel Or workshop of6870Sold by the art dealer and restorer Jef Van der Veken, Brussels, on 3 May 1941 to Andreas Hofer for the sum of 22,000 RM. (A. Hofer was curator and purchaser for the art collection of Hermann Göring.) The Göring collection was transferred from Carinhall to Berchtesgaden in 1945, recovered by the American Monuments, Fine Arts & Archives division at Berchtesgaden in 1945 (Berchtesgaden no. 305), transferred to the Collection Point München (Munich no. 5350), returned to Belgium (Economic Recovery Service no. A.80), assigned in 1960 to the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Brussels.
https://cultural-goods-wwii.fine-arts-museum.be/en/artworks/joos-van-cleveJoos van Cleve Attributed to73 cm x 57 cm6587Sold by the art dealer Arens, Brussels, on 28 July 1941 via the intervention of Maurice Lagrand to Kajetan Mühlmann for 25,563.92 Fl(orins), resold to A. Hitler for the Linz Collection for the sum of 34,000 RM, this collection was transferred to the salt mines of Alt-Aussee (Aussee no. 2244), recovered by the American Monuments, Fine Arts & Archives division in 1945 (Linz no. 1844), transferred to the Collection Point München (Munich no. 3494), returned to Belgium (Economic Recovery Service no. A.59), assigned in 1951 to the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Brussels.
https://cultural-goods-wwii.fine-arts-museum.be/en/artworks/german-schoolGerman School Third quarter of the 15th century48 cm x 42 cm6601Purchased by Maurice Lagrand during the Occupation of Belgium and resold to the Dorotheum auction house, Vienna for the sum of 20,000 RM (Dorotheum no. 217.647/24), returned to Belgium (Economic Recovery Service no. V.5), assigned in 1951 to the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Brussels.
https://cultural-goods-wwii.fine-arts-museum.be/en/artworks/french-schoolFrench school Second half of the 14th century30,3 cm x 21,7 cm6645Sale of the entire collection of paintings of the collector Emile Renders, Brussels and Bruges, via Jacques De Mul, Walter Paech, Alois Miedl (who had taken over the business of art dealer Goudstikker, Amsterdam, during the Occupation, no. 6049) to Andreas Hofer, purchased by Hermann Göring on 15 May 1941. This painting from the collection was not transferred from Carinhall but instead found its way to the Deutsche Landsvolksbank at Lenggries (Lenggries no. 13/21) from June 1942, recovered from there by the American Monuments, Fine Arts & Archives division in 1945, transferred to the Collection Point München (Munich no. 15864/21), returned to Belgium (Economic Recovery Service no. A.55), after the verdict in the trial of E. Renders assigned in 1952 to the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Brussels.
https://cultural-goods-wwii.fine-arts-museum.be/en/artworks/lorenzo-di-niccolo-geriniLorenzo di Niccolò Gerini95 cm x 53 cm (x2)6595 - 6596Sold by the art dealer Paul Neuhuys, Brussels, to Kajetan Mühlmann; resold to Hermann Göring; this collection was transferred from Carinhall to Berchtesgaden in 1945; recovered by the American Monuments, Fine Arts & Archives division at Berchtesgaden in 1945 (Berchtesgaden no. 510 and 537); transferred to the Collection Point München (Munich no. ? and ?); returned to Belgium (Economic Recovery Service no. A.32 and A.33); assigned in 1951 to the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Brussels
https://cultural-goods-wwii.fine-arts-museum.be/en/artworks/abraham-janssen-van-nuyssenAbraham Janssen van Nuyssen107,5 cm x 97 cmSold in 1941 by the collector Broermann, via Maurice Lagrand to Kajetan Mühlmann, resold to Hermann Göring, this collection was transferred from Carinhall to Berchtesgaden in 1945, recovered by the American Monuments, Fine Arts & Archives division at Berchtesgaden in 1945 (Berchtesgaden no. 389), transferred to the Collection Point München (Munich no. 5434), returned to Belgium (Economic Recovery Service no. A.81), assigned in 1951 to the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Brussels.
https://cultural-goods-wwii.fine-arts-museum.be/en/artworks/johann-heissJohann Heiss106,5 cm x 152 cm6599Sold in June 1944 by the widow of the collector Van Gelder, Uccle/Ukkel to Maurice Lagrand for 8,000 RM; resold at the Dorotheum auction house, Vienna for 30,000 RM on 29 July 1944; recovered by the American Monuments, Fine Arts & Archives division; transferred to the Collection Point München (Munich no. 33828); returned to Belgium (Economic Recovery Service no. A.97); assigned in 1951 to the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Brussels.
https://cultural-goods-wwii.fine-arts-museum.be/en/artworks/jacques-jordaensJacques Jordaens6589Sold during the period of the War by the art dealer Moorthamers, Brussels to Kajetan Mühlmann for 230,000 BF (18,000 RM); recovered by the American Monuments, Fine Arts & Archives division in Mitterseel (no. 57/2); transferred to the Collection Point München (Munich no. 30242/2); returned to Belgium (Economic Recovery Service no. A.341); assigned in 1951 to the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Brussels.
https://cultural-goods-wwii.fine-arts-museum.be/en/artworks/quinten-massysQuinten Massys47,5 cm x 34 cm6647Sale of the entire collection of paintings of the collector Emile Renders, Brussels and Bruges, via Jacques De Mul, Walter Paech, Alois Miedl (who had taken over the business of art dealer Goudstikker, Amsterdam, during the Occupation, no. 6049) to Andreas Hofer, on 15 May 1941 purchased by Hermann Göring. This collection was transferred from Carinhall to Berchtesgaden in 1945, recovered by the American Monuments, Fine Arts & Archives division at Berchtesgaden in 1945 (Berchtesgaden no. 673), transferred to the Collection Point München (Munich no. 5721), returned to Belgium (Economic Recovery Service no. A.48), after the verdict in the trial of E. Renders assigned in 1952 to the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Brussels.
https://cultural-goods-wwii.fine-arts-museum.be/en/artworks/master-of-alkmaarMaster of Alkmaar60,8 cm x 41,8 cm6597Sold by the widow of the collector Van Gelder, Uccle/Ukkel, together with six other paintings to Andreas Hofer on 13 May 1941 for a total sum of 220,000 RM. (A. Hofer was curator and purchaser for the art collection of Hermann Göring). This collection was transferred from Carinhall to Berchtesgaden in 1945, recovered by the American Monuments, Fine Arts & Archives division at Berchtesgaden in 1945 (Berchtesgaden no. 1109), transferred to the Collection Point München (Munich no. 6157, frame no. 7235), returned to Belgium (Economic Recovery Service no. A.43), assigned in 1951 to the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Brussels.
https://cultural-goods-wwii.fine-arts-museum.be/en/artworks/master-of-hoogstratenMaster of Hoogstraten Mentioned as Antwerp Mannerist in 152061 cm x 43 cm6646Sale of the entire collection of paintings of the collector Emile Renders, Brussels and Bruges, via Jacques De Mul, Walter Paech, Alois Miedl (who had taken over the business of art dealer Goudstikker, Amsterdam, during the Occupation, no. 6052) to Andreas Hofer, on 15 May 1941 purchased by Hermann Göring. This painting from the collection was not transferred from Carinhall but instead found its way to the Deutsche Landsvolksbank at Lenggries (Lenggries no. 13/22) from June 1942, recovered from there by the American Monuments, Fine Arts & Archives division in 1945, transferred to the Collection Point München (Munich no. 15858), returned to Belgium (Economic Recovery Service no. A.57), after the verdict in the trial of E. Renders assigned in 1952 to the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Brussels.
https://cultural-goods-wwii.fine-arts-museum.be/en/artworks/hans-rottenhammerHans Rottenhammer Follower of6602Bought from the art collector Dr. Heulens, Anderlecht (Brussels) in 1941 for the sum of 8,000 RM. (A. Hofer was curator and purchaser for the art collection of Hermann Göring). This collection was transferred from Carinhall to Berchtesgaden in 1945, recovered by the American Monuments, Fine Arts & Archives division at Berchtesgaden in 1945 (Berchtesgaden no. 562), transferred to the Collection Point München (Munich no. 5607), returned to Belgium (Economic Recovery Service no. A.34), assigned in 1951 to the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Brussels.
https://cultural-goods-wwii.fine-arts-museum.be/en/artworks/roelandt-saveryRoelandt Savery6590Purchased by Maurice Lagrand, Brussels, and resold by Kajetan Mühlmann to Hermann Göring for 3,000 RM in February 1941. This collection was transferred from Carinhall to Berchtesgaden in 1945, recovered by the American Monuments, Fine Arts & Archives division at Berchtesgaden in 1945, transferred to the Collection Point München (Munich no. 5888), mistakenly returned to France, returned from Paris to Belgium (Economic Recovery Service no. P.316), assigned in 1951 to the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Brussels.
https://cultural-goods-wwii.fine-arts-museum.be/en/artworks/albert-saverysAlbert Saverys6603Purchased in Brussels in 1942 by Dr. Seiterich, Emmendingen, recovered in Emmendingen, returned to Belgium from the French Zone (Economic Recovery Service no. F.41), assigned to the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Brussels.
https://cultural-goods-wwii.fine-arts-museum.be/en/artworks/willem-schellinksWillem Schellinks6598Sold during the period of the War by the art dealer De Heuvel, Brussels, to Kajetan Mühlmann for 4,000 RM; recovered by the American Monuments, Fine Arts & Archives division in the home of Mühlmann at Kamer/Attersee; transferred to the Collection Point München (Munich no. 30245/1); returned to Belgium (Economic Recovery Service no. A.93); assigned in 1951 to the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Brussels.
https://cultural-goods-wwii.fine-arts-museum.be/en/artworks/albert-servaesAlbert Servaes6604Purchased in 1942 for the city of Cologne during Flämische Kunst der Gegenwart, a sales exhibition of contemporary Flemish artists then touring Germany and organized by the Deutsch-Flämische Arbeitsgemeinschaft (DEVLAG); recovered in Ehrenbreilstein; returned to Belgium by France (Economic Recovery Service no. F.43); assigned in 1951 to the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Brussels.
https://cultural-goods-wwii.fine-arts-museum.be/en/artworks/adriaen-van-stalbemtAdriaen van Stalbemt Mentioned as D. Vinckeboom54,5 cm x 78 cm6600Sold by the art collector Pieter Smidt van Gelder, Antwerp, to Kajetan Mühlmann for 7,000 Fl(orins), resold to A. Hitler for the Linz Collection, this collection was placed in the salt mines of Alt-Aussee (Aussee no. 3015), recovered by the American Monuments, Fine Arts & Archives division in 1945, transferred to the Collection Point München (Munich no. 4366), returned to Belgium (Economic Recovery Service no. A.65), assigned in 1951 to the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Brussels.
https://cultural-goods-wwii.fine-arts-museum.be/en/artworks/hendrick-van-streeckHendrick Van Streeck7960Sold by the art dealer Le Roy, Brussels, to J. B. Bysings, Rotterdam, for 20,000 Fl[orins]; via Edouard Plietzsch resold to A. Hitler for the Linz Collection (Linz no. 397); recovered by the American Monuments, Fine Arts & Archives division in the Munich Police Headquarters in 1945; transferred to the Collection Point München (Munich no. 18056); returned to Belgium (Economic Recovery Service no. A.348); assigned in 1951 to the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Brussels.
https://cultural-goods-wwii.fine-arts-museum.be/en/artworks/esaias-van-de-veldeEsaias van de Velde6593Sold in June 1944 by the widow of the collector Van Gelder, Uccle/Ukkel via the art dealer Maurice Lagrand and resold at the Dorotheum auction house, Vienna, for the sum of 40,000 RM on 29 June 1944 (Dorotheum no. 217.647/21); resold to A. Hitler for the Linz Collection for 70,000 RM; this collection was placed in the salt mines of Alt-Aussee on 20 November 1944 (Aussee no. 8748); recovered by the American Monuments, Fine Arts & Archives division; transferred to the Collection Point München (Munich no. 33840); returned to Belgium (Economic Recovery Service no. A.98); assigned in 1951 to the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Brussels.
https://cultural-goods-wwii.fine-arts-museum.be/en/artworks/lovis-corinthLovis Corinth81 cm x 66 cm6605Unknown collection, plundered by the Einsatzstab Reichsleiter Rosenberg (ERR) in Belgium, recuperated by Leo Van Puyvelde after the liberation of Brussels, transferred to the Economic Recovery Service and assigned in 1951 to the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Brussels.









  • 5. Next step?
    What provenance research is currently being done in Belgium concerning these looted artworks?



    see: 

    Less Than a Month After the Louvre Hired a Nazi Loot Expert to Investigate Its Collection, She Found 10 Ill-Gotten Works Hiding in Plain Sight




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    Statement by the Fine Arts Museum on its Provenance Webpage concerning the status of its WWII era provenance research


    "In cooperation with the Commission of research and the Commission for compensation, the Royal Museums of Fine Art of Belgium reviewed the history of works in their collection with inconclusive provenance. During many years of research all existing sources were re-examined while recently available potential documents were tracked down to ascertain the works’ provenance. "

    The survey was concluded leaving one work of indeterminate provenance: the owner of the painting Flowers by Lovis Corinth (1914, oil on canvas, 81 x 66, inv. 6605), prior to 1944, could not be traced. We would be most grateful if you can help us uncovering new objective evidence to reconstruct previous ownership of the work. If you wish to share any new information that may shed light on this problem of provenance, please contact us.

    https://www.fine-arts-museum.be/en/provenance


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    ** Artists in WWII Provenance :





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