German government halts auction of Hitler-looted painting by Franz von Stuck
The German government forced the withdrawal of a painting by Franz von Stuck from a Van Ham auction in Cologne scheduled for November 17, 2017, claiming ownership as successor to the Nazi regime. The work, "The Portrait of Two Young Girls," was among hundreds looted from the Führerbau in Munich on April 30, 1945, after Hitler's death. It had been destined for the never-built Führermuseum in Linz and was likely stolen from a Jewish family. The painting reappeared after 70 years with an estimated value of €20,000–€30,000, listed only as from a private Cologne collector. The government continues to trace about 400 missing works from that night.
Key facts
- The painting 'The Portrait of Two Young Girls' by Franz von Stuck was withdrawn from a Van Ham auction in Cologne.
- The auction was scheduled for November 17, 2017.
- The German government demanded the withdrawal, claiming ownership as successor to the Nazi regime.
- The painting was looted from the Führerbau in Munich on April 30, 1945, after Hitler's death.
- It was one of hundreds of artworks destined for the never-built Führermuseum in Linz.
- The work was likely stolen from a Jewish family during the Nazi era.
- The painting had an estimated value of €20,000–€30,000.
- About 400 artworks looted that night are still missing.
Entities
Artists
- Franz von Stuck
- Adolph Hitler
Institutions
- Van Ham
- Führermuseum Linz
- Führerbau Munich
- SS
- Artribune
Locations
- Cologne
- Germany
- Munich
- Berlin
- Linz
- Austria