Nazi-Looted Van Huysum Masterpiece Returns to Florence

Jan van Huysum's 'Vaso di fiori,' a Dutch still life looted by Nazis in 1944, is returning to Palazzo Pitti in Florence after decades. The painting, acquired by Grand Duke Leopold II in 1824, was evacuated to Poggio a Caiano in 1940 and later to Villa Bossi Pucci before being taken to Castel Giovio and then Germany. Uffizi director Eike Schmidt spearheaded the restitution effort, leading to cooperation between Italian and German foreign ministers Heiko Maas and Enzo Moavero. A black-and-white reproduction with 'stolen' in three languages currently hangs in its place. The official ceremony date is pending. The work was part of a larger Nazi art seizure; a 1991 negotiation involving a ransom demand was rejected as the painting remains Italian state property. Schmidt called for Germany to abolish statutes of limitations on Nazi-looted art.