Kunstmuseum Basel compensates heirs of a Jewish art collector
Published: Thursday, Nov 14th 2024, 08:40
Updated At: Thursday, Nov 14th 2024, 11:21
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The Kunstmuseum Basel is compensating the heiresses of a Jewish collector for a painting by Camille Pissarro that was sold in distress in 1933. The museum was only able to receive the painting as a donation around three years ago, as the Kunstmuseum announced on Thursday.
The heiresses are satisfied with the solution that has been found. And the art museum considers itself fortunate to be able to preserve the work for its collection. The money for the compensation comes from the acquisition fund and does not affect the global budget. The amount of the compensation was not disclosed.
The painting "La Maison Rondest, l'Hermitage, Pontoise" from 1875 was donated to the Kunstmuseum Basel on the occasion of the exhibition of works by Camille Pissarro, according to a statement. According to the press release, it came from the Riehen collection of Klaus von Berlebsch, who donated the painting, which was initially intended as a loan, to the museum.
Standard provenance research
The Kunstmuseum then researched the provenance of the work, as has been standard practice since the adoption of the Provenance Research Strategy of 2022. The painting is listed on the website www.lostart.de as a wanted poster - albeit under a different title and without an image. This is why the previous owner, who has since passed away, knew nothing of the work's original provenance.
The painting was owned by the Jewish textile entrepreneur Richard Semmel until the Nazis seized power. He sold the painting while fleeing from Germany, which is why, according to the Kunstmuseum, it was suspected to be a fugitive property. After the Nazi persecution-related loss was recognized, the lawyer Olaf S. Ossmann, who has represented the heirs of Richard Semmel for many years, was contacted and the work was reported as being in the Kunstmuseum's collection.
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