The heirs of an art dealer are demanding the return of Gustav Klimt's famous painting "Water Serpents" (also known as "Silverfish") from Vienna's Albertina Museum, citing unclear provenance during the Nazi era. The artwork has been on permanent loan from Bank Austria to the federal museum since 2012, but its ownership history between 1918 and 1943 remains disputed and requires clarification.
The painting was the subject of a deal during the Nazi period, raising serious questions about its legitimate ownership. Gustav Klimt's "Water Serpents (Silverfish)" currently serves as a permanent loan from Bank Austria and represents the only painting by the renowned Austrian artist in the museum's collection. The work's provenance during the critical period from 1918 to 1943 is now under scrutiny and needs to be thoroughly investigated.
The Albertina Museum has prominently featured the artwork in its marketing efforts, promoting it through social media channels with the tagline "there are many fish in the sea, but these have a special place in our hearts." The museum describes the piece as an "outstanding masterpiece" and has given it a place of honor in its permanent exhibition. The painting is displayed directly opposite Claude Monet's "Water Lily Pond" in the museum's Batliner Collection, which spans works from Monet to Picasso.
The case highlights ongoing issues surrounding art restitution and Nazi-looted artwork that continue to surface in museums worldwide. The demand for the painting's return underscores the importance of thoroughly investigating the provenance of artworks that changed hands during World War II, particularly those involved in forced sales or confiscations during the Nazi regime.
