Nazi-Looted 1719 Stradivari May Have Been Found in France

A violin crafted by Stradivari in 1719, thought to be the 'Lauterbach' Stradivari stolen by the Nazis and appraised at €10 million, may have been recognized following a concert in Colmar, France. This instrument was taken from the Warsaw Museum in Poland in 1944 during the German army's withdrawal. On March 31, violinist Emmanuel Coppey showcased four instruments, including the 1719 Stradivari, at the Unterlinden Museum in Colmar. Pascale Bernheim, the founder of Musique et Spoliations, an organization dedicated to tracing stolen instruments, noted the coverage by Dernières Nouvelles d'Alsace. She claims this violin must be the 'Lauterbach,' as only nine were made that year. On April 22, she announced her findings, marking a significant milestone in 80 years. Poland's Division for Looted Art categorizes the violin as a war loss, necessitating its return to the rightful owners.