Bavaria returns Nazi-looted painting to Jewish heirs
Bavaria is set to return "Bildnis eines jungen Mannes" by Friedrich von Amerling to the descendants of Jacques and Emma Rosenthal, Jewish antiquarians who faced persecution during the Nazi regime. The Bavarian State Painting Collections made this restitution announcement following thorough provenance research. In 1935, Rosenthal had to shut down his business and sold it to prevent closure. While some relatives escaped, Jacques and Emma stayed in Munich, selling their home at a loss and liquidating their possessions. The artwork was handed over to an art dealer before finding its way to the Munich Pinakotheken. Emma received 350 Reichsmarks for the piece, which was worth at least seven times that amount. Markus Blume, Bavaria’s art minister, highlighted the importance of rectifying Nazi-era wrongs.
Key facts
- Bavaria returns Friedrich von Amerling's 'Bildnis eines jungen Mannes' to heirs of Jacques and Emma Rosenthal.
- The painting was looted by Nazis from the Jewish antiquarian and art dealer Jacques Rosenthal.
- Rosenthal was ordered in 1935 to close his business within four weeks by the Reich Chamber of Culture.
- The painting was consigned to an art dealer and later entered the Munich Pinakotheken via a barter deal.
- Emma Rosenthal received 350 Reichsmarks for the painting, then worth at least 2,450 Reichsmarks.
- Anton Biebl, director of the Bavarian State Painting Collections, called the restitution a key step in addressing Nazi expropriations.
- Bavaria has faced criticism for opaque and slow restitution processes; former director Bernhard Maaz left after controversy.
- Markus Blume, Bavaria's art minister, stated the enduring obligation to address Nazi injustice.
Entities
Artists
- Friedrich von Amerling
Institutions
- Bavarian State Painting Collections
- Reich Chamber of Culture
- Munich Pinakotheken
Locations
- Bavaria
- Munich
- Germany