DHM returns bronze relief to Belgian city of Dinant

The German Historical Museum (DHM) in Berlin has returned a bronze relief to the city of Dinant, Belgium. The relief, created by Belgian sculptor Frans Huygelen around 1927, was part of a monument commemorating Belgian civilians executed by German soldiers during World War I. It was confiscated in 1942 during the German occupation of Belgium. The return was triggered by a 1930 postcard showing the relief as part of the monument, which was missing in a 2014 photo. This led to confirmation that the relief had been seized by the German military commander of Dinant and Philippeville. It is believed to have been taken to the Berlin Zeughaus, then the army museum of the Nazi regime. The relief was handed over by DHM director Raphael Gross in the presence of German Ambassador to Belgium Martin Kotthaus, who stated that the return closes a gap in reconciliation between Dinant, Belgium, and Germany. Over 670 residents of Dinant died in 1914 massacres by German soldiers. The DHM has been investigating provenance since German reunification, including cases of Nazi-looted art from Jewish owners.