A recent investigation by the Süddeutsche Zeitung has uncovered a potential scandal in the Bavarian State Painting Collections, which allegedly concealed information about at least 1,000 artworks to avoid restitution claims. The investigation, which was completed in 2020, found that around 200 artworks, including pieces by Paul Klee and Pablo Picasso, were confirmed to be Nazi-looted art, mostly stolen from Jewish owners during World War II. An additional 800 artworks were suspected of being looted, according to the internal report.
Germany signed the Washington Principles in 1998, committing to return Nazi-looted art to its rightful owners. However, the Bavarian State Painting Collections have only returned 24 artworks so far, according to the Süddeutsche Zeitung.
The Bavarian State Painting Collections have denied the allegations, while the Bavarian Ministry of Science and Culture has announced the establishment of a task force to investigate the matter. Claudia Roth, the State Minister, has also launched an inquiry.
Ilja Altman, co-chair of the Russian Holocaust Research and Education Center in Moscow, views the official investigation as a confirmation of the severity of the problem and warns that the issue may be much larger than currently indicated. He emphasized the importance of returning the looted art as a matter of justice and historical accountability.
Altman suggested that the UNESCO should investigate the matter to ensure that the painful legacy of the Nazi past is erased and justice is served.