The Restitutions Committee
During Nazi regime (1933-1945), art was stolen on a large scale from mostly Jewish owners. A looted work of art can nowadays be in the possession of the Dutch authorities, a museum or a private person. Do you suspect that an art object used to belong to your family and that it was lost as a result of the Nazi regime? You can then submit a request for restitution to the Advisory Committee on the Assessment of Restitution Applications for Items of Cultural Value and the Second World War (or the Restitutions Committee for short).
I want to submit an application I received a request
Three documentaries provide a chance to look behind the scenes of the Restitutions Committee. They show how the Committee does its work and how it prepares recommendations and rulings. They also reveal the emotional process that descendants undergo during the unearthing of the history associated with an artwork.
about the committee
The Restitutions Committee has advised on Nazi looted art in the Netherlands since 2001. It also shares knowledge on the subject through newsletters, lectures, symposia and publications. The Committee was established by the Ministry of Culture, Education and Science but operates independently. It consists of seven members and a secretariat and is based in The Hague.
Binding opinion on the return of a drawing by Max Liebermann to the heirs of Max and Martha Liebermann. As a rule, restitution applications are submitted by the descendants of art collectors and art dealers. This is the first case of an application being submitted by the heirs of the maker of the artwork in question.
A link between a number of objects and the Jewish art dealer Mozes Mogrobi was found during implementation of the Programme to Accelerate WWII Restitution Policy, under the auspices of which the provenance of the entire NK Collection is being reinvestigated. As a result, Mogrobi's heirs submitted a request for restitution, which led to the restitution of twelve antiquities.
The Restitutions Committee has assessed an application for restitution of the painting Odalisque by Henri Matisse, which since 1941 has been in the collection of the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam. The Committee has come to the conclusion on the grounds of the investigation conducted by the Commission for Looted Art in Europe and assessed by the Expert Centre Restitution that it is highly likely that the painting came from the collection of the Jewish couple Albert and Marie Stern. It has also become sufficiently plausible that the couple lost possession of the painting as a result of circumstances directly connected with the Nazi regime.
International cooperation
Germany, France, Austria and the United Kingdom also have restitution committees for advice on Nazi looted art. In 2017, the five European restitution committees expressed their wish for closer cooperation and sharing knowledge. This resulted in the establishment of the Network of European Restitution Committees on Nazi-Looted Art. The Network meets regularly and publishes a Newsletter with contributions on restitution matters from the different countries.
CURRENT
23 July 2024
The RC has advised Rotterdam to restitute the drawing Girl Writing at a Table by Max Liebermann to the heirs of Max and Martha Liebermann. As a rule, restitution applications are submitted by the descendants of art collectors and art dealers. This is the first case of an application being submitted by the heirs of the maker of the artwork in question.
18 July 2024
A link between a number of objects and the Jewish art dealer Mozes Mogrobi was found during implementation of the Programme to Accelerate WWII Restitution Policy, under the auspices of which the provenance of the entire NK Collection is being reinvestigated. As a result, Mogrobi's heirs submitted a request for restitution, which led to this restitution.
25 June 2024
The Restitutions Committee has advised Amsterdam City Council to restitute the painting ‘Odalisque’ (Henri Matisse) to Albert Stern’s legal successors. The Committee came to the conclusion that the textile manufacturer Albert Stern was the owner of the painting during the occupation on the grounds of the investigation conducted by the Commission for Looted Art in Europe and assessed by the Expert Centre Restitution NIOD.
Keep abreast of the latest recommendations and developments within the Restitutions Committee.
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2501 CN The Hague
+31 70 376 59 92
