Article: During World War II, amidst desperate attempts to flee Europe, some Jewish families sold their priceless artwork or had them looted by Nazis. 1,500 of these pieces were believed missing or destroyed by bombing in the war, until they were recently discovered in Munich at an estimated worth of $1.3 billion. How they were found is as follows: an 80 year old man was nervously answering questions by customs clerks as he was ona train from Switzerland to Germany, carrying $12,000 in cash. Authorities eventually raided the man's apartment and discovered thousands of artwork piled up next to cans of food. The man is the son of a well-known Nazi art-dealer. The collection includes Picasso, Chagall, Matisse, Klee and other masterpieces thought lost forever. Now the process begins of whom to restore the paintings to. Just last week, Dutch museums also announced they had 139 pieces of art that probably came from Jewish families during the War.
Discussion:
- Think of a famous piece of art in an art museum. Tell a story of how it may have come to be in that museum, starting with its acquisition by a Jewish family in Germany.
- Why did the art dealer's son never tell anyone about the art work? (Afraid of being arrested, which he now has been for tax evasion; he also has been selling off art work over the years to make money)
- How would you go about the process of repatriating the art work to the rightful descendants? Discuss all the complications involved in the process.
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