Ludwig Roselius Museum Reacquires Nazi-Looted Painting of Saint Ursula
The Ludwig Roselius Museum in Bremen has reacquired the circa 1500 Netherlandish painting 'Departure of Saint Ursula' after it was restituted to the heirs of Jewish antiquarian Jacques Rosenthal. The work, which had been in the museum since 1936, was identified as Rosenthal property during a provenance research project at the Central Institute for Art History in Munich in 2021. Forced to sell their collection under Nazi persecution, the Rosenthals' heirs reached an agreement allowing the painting to remain in Bremen. The Cultural Foundation of the German States supported the repurchase with €7,778. The painting, attributed to an unknown artist of the Dutch or Flemish school, depicts scenes from the legend of Saint Ursula and likely belonged to a larger cycle. Its provenance will be highlighted in a future cabinet presentation.
Key facts
- Ludwig Roselius Museum acquired the painting 'Departure of Saint Ursula' (circa 1500).
- The work was identified as property of Jewish antiquarian Jacques Rosenthal (1854–1937).
- Restituted to Rosenthal's heirs, then repurchased by the museum.
- Cultural Foundation of the German States funded the repurchase with €7,778.
- Provenance research conducted at the Central Institute for Art History in Munich in 2021.
- Painting attributed to an unknown artist of the Dutch or Flemish school.
- Depicts scenes from the legend of Saint Ursula; likely part of a larger cycle.
- Future cabinet presentation will address the work's provenance.
Entities
Artists
- Jacques Rosenthal
- Ludwig Roselius
Institutions
- Ludwig Roselius Museum
- Cultural Foundation of the German States
- Central Institute for Art History in Munich
- Free Hanseatic City of Bremen
Locations
- Bremen
- Germany
- Munich
- Cologne
- Rome