Cezanne Watercolor in Basel Show Linked to Nazi Persecution
A watercolor by Paul Cezanne, once in the possession of Jewish businessman Gustav Schweitzer, was featured in an exhibition at Fondation Beyeler. This 1888 artwork, which illustrates Montagne Sainte Victoire, was borrowed for a 1936 showcase at Basel's Kunsthalle. According to researcher Willi Korte, Schweitzer's ownership was lost due to Nazi persecution, likely through coercion or theft. The 'Cezanne' exhibition concluded on May 25, and the current owner is a private collector based in the US. Fondation Beyeler plans to return the artwork to the lender and will notify them of the suspicions. Research into Schweitzer's collection commenced after his grandson became aware in 2024. Schweitzer passed away in 1939; his secretary perished at Auschwitz in 1942, while his wife escaped to the US.
Key facts
- Cezanne watercolor on show at Fondation Beyeler belonged to Jewish businessman Gustav Schweitzer.
- Schweitzer fled Berlin in 1935 and lost the work due to Nazi persecution.
- Researcher Willi Korte found documents in Basel public archives about the loan.
- The watercolor was loaned to Basel's Kunsthalle for a 1936 exhibition.
- Correspondence between Schweitzer and the curator continued until 1939.
- How Schweitzer lost ownership is unknown; it was either sold under duress or looted.
- The watercolor was one of 79 works in the exhibition 'Cezanne,' which ended May 25.
- The current owner is US-based; the lender is an unnamed private collector.
- Fondation Beyeler will return the work to the lender and inform them of the suspicion.
- The work is not listed on lostart.de, a German database of Nazi-era losses.
- Research into Schweitzer's collection began in 2024 after his grandson became aware.
- A report on the Bührle Collection investigated Van Gogh's 'Head of a Peasant Woman,' also owned by Schweitzer.
- Schweitzer died of a heart attack in Manila in 1939.
- Schweitzer's secretary was deported from Paris in 1942 and killed at Auschwitz.
- Schweitzer's wife fled to the US in 1938; their grandson is the sole heir.
- Historian Georg Kreis suggested Fondation Beyeler mediate between the heir and the current holder.
- Kreis said the work is now unsaleable and compensation should be provided.
Entities
Artists
- Paul Cezanne
- Vincent van Gogh
Institutions
- Fondation Beyeler
- Kunsthalle Basel
- German Historical Museum
- Bührle Collection
- Kunsthaus Zurich
Locations
- Basel
- Switzerland
- Berlin
- Germany
- Paris
- France
- Manila
- Philippines
- United States
- Auschwitz