A significant collection of artworks held by Munich's State Graphic Collection will be returned to the rightful heirs of their original Jewish owners, marking another important step in addressing the legacy of Nazi art looting. The collection includes the Prince Regent Cycle and the watercolor "Motif near Oberbozen" by Max Slevogt, which were owned by the persecuted Jewish art dealers Leo and Salo Lewin before the Nazi seizure of power.
The decision to return these valuable works represents a resolution of historical injustice that has taken decades to address. Michael Hering, Director of the State Graphic Collection Munich, expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, stating that "we can bring this historical injustice to a comforting and friendly end with their help." The restitution process demonstrates the institution's commitment to rectifying wrongs committed during the Nazi era.
The artworks in question were part of the extensive collection owned by the Lewin brothers, who were prominent art dealers before being persecuted by the Nazi regime. Leo and Salo Lewin were among countless Jewish collectors and dealers whose artworks were confiscated, sold under duress, or otherwise lost during the Holocaust period. The Prince Regent Cycle and the Slevogt watercolor have been identified through extensive provenance research as belonging to their estate.
This restitution comes at a time when Bavaria has been embroiled in debates over how to handle Nazi-looted art in its collections. The state has faced criticism for its approach to provenance research and restitution claims, making this return particularly significant as a demonstration of progress in addressing these historical wrongs. The case highlights the ongoing efforts by German cultural institutions to research their collections and identify works that were unlawfully acquired during the Nazi period.
The return of these artworks to the Lewin heirs represents not just the restoration of property rights, but also an acknowledgment of the suffering endured by Jewish families during the Holocaust. Such restitutions serve as important gestures of reconciliation and recognition of past injustices, helping to preserve the memory of those who were persecuted and ensuring that their cultural contributions are not forgotten.
