Dateline: 12/31/00
The National Gallery of Canada maintains a list and digital images of about 100 art works from its permanent collection which have gaps in their provenance for the years of the Second World War. When it first posted the list, the Gallery had no evidence that any of these art works were stolen by the Nazis from Jewish families, but was following the recommendations of both the Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD) and the Canadian Art Museum Directors Organization (CAMDO).
The Gallery asks the public for help in identifying possible stolen pieces.
It is not unusual for there to be gaps in the history of the ownership of art works, especially during times of great social upheaval such as war, but much of the art looted by the Nazis during World War Two was not returned to its original owners and found its way to dealers.
Pierre Théberge, Director of the National Art Gallery, stresses that "the inclusion of a painting on this list indicates only that more information is required to complete our knowledge of its ownership during the Nazi era." The Gallery welcomes further information on the provenance of any of the paintings on this list. Art works on the list include those by Picasso, Gainsborough, Gauguin, Matisse and Rodin.
The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) also has a list of paintings, sculptures, and drawings in its European collection with gaps in provenance for the critical years of 1933-1945. They have started with the "most important." The list includes van Dyck's "Michel Le Blon" and Monet's "Charing Cross Bridge, brouillard." The AGO also says it has no reason to believe that any of its works were "unlawfully confiscated" during the Nazi era.
Both the National Gallery of Canada and Art Gallery of Ontario update their lists as they receive new information.
The National Gallery of Canada maintains a list and digital images of about 100 art works from its permanent collection which have gaps in their provenance for the years of the Second World War. When it first posted the list, the Gallery had no evidence that any of these art works were stolen by the Nazis from Jewish families, but was following the recommendations of both the Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD) and the Canadian Art Museum Directors Organization (CAMDO).
The Gallery asks the public for help in identifying possible stolen pieces.
It is not unusual for there to be gaps in the history of the ownership of art works, especially during times of great social upheaval such as war, but much of the art looted by the Nazis during World War Two was not returned to its original owners and found its way to dealers.
Pierre Théberge, Director of the National Art Gallery, stresses that "the inclusion of a painting on this list indicates only that more information is required to complete our knowledge of its ownership during the Nazi era." The Gallery welcomes further information on the provenance of any of the paintings on this list. Art works on the list include those by Picasso, Gainsborough, Gauguin, Matisse and Rodin.
The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) also has a list of paintings, sculptures, and drawings in its European collection with gaps in provenance for the critical years of 1933-1945. They have started with the "most important." The list includes van Dyck's "Michel Le Blon" and Monet's "Charing Cross Bridge, brouillard." The AGO also says it has no reason to believe that any of its works were "unlawfully confiscated" during the Nazi era.
Both the National Gallery of Canada and Art Gallery of Ontario update their lists as they receive new information.