Jewish Heirs File Lawsuits Over Nazi-Looted Artworks

Two separate lawsuits have been filed in California by Jewish heirs and their representatives. They seek the return of paintings stolen by Nazis during World War II, currently displayed in museums in Los Angeles and Auschwitz.

Lawsuits and Recent Legal Developments

The lawsuits are the first following recent California and Congressional legislation, which strengthens claims to artworks seized from Jewish families during the war. One lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court against the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena. The plaintiffs want “Adam and Eve,” two life-sized oil paintings by Lucas Cranach the Elder, returned.

“These are incredibly beautiful European masterpieces stolen from a Jewish family to enrich the Nazi party,” said Rabbi Noah Farkas, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles.

The second lawsuit was filed in federal court in Los Angeles by the daughters of Dinah Gottliebova Babbitt, a Holocaust survivor. They seek the return of watercolors that Babbitt was forced to paint for Nazi physician Josef Mengele at Auschwitz.

Museum Stance and Historical Context

Both museums involved assert they legally acquired the artworks and intend to keep displaying them. The topic of Nazi-looted art remains emotionally charged, pitting affected families against institutions that aim to preserve historical artifacts.

During the Nazi regime, over 600,000 art pieces were confiscated from Jewish owners, collectors, and museums. Many of these works ended up in prominent museums worldwide. The recovery efforts are complex, involving legal and ethical challenges.

Community and Legislative Efforts

Marei von Saher, the sole heir of Dutch Jewish art dealer Jacques Goudstikker, has extended her rights to these claims to the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles. The paintings in question were originally seized by Nazi official Hermann Göring. The federation plans to use recovered funds to support Holocaust survivors residing in Los Angeles.

Assembly Bill 2867, authored by California Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel, mandates state laws apply to art recovery claims related to the Holocaust. “It’s time for museums to consider their role in this historical issue,” Gabriel stated.

Museum and Memorial Statements

The Norton Simon Museum, referencing a 2018 federal court decision, maintains ownership of the Cranach paintings. They were sold to the museum by a Stroganoff family descendant after a series of transactions.

Pawel Sawicki from the Auschwitz Memorial emphasized that Babbitt’s watercolors should remain as unique historical documents. He stressed their importance in illustrating Mengele’s crimes, albeit created under duress.

The discussions around these artworks continue to engage communities, reflecting the ongoing struggle to reconcile historical injustices with present-day preservation of cultural heritage.