[CPProt.net] Haaretz - Israel News - Israel Museum gives back Degas looted bythe Nazis

[MSN and CPProt list (Ton Cremers)]

Israel Museum gives back Degas looted by the Nazis    
By The Associated Press 
 
The Israel Museum has returned a drawing by French artist Edgar Degas,
confiscated by the Nazis, to the family of its owner, the museum announced.
 
The drawing, "Four Nude Female Dancers Resting," was returned to Marei von
Saher, the daughter-in-law of Dutch art dealer Jacques Goudstikker. The
Nazis took the drawing from Goudstikker in 1940.

The drawing was identified as Goudstikker's after a joint investigation by
the museum and von Saher's representatives, the museum said in a statement.

"The Israel Museum takes very seriously the challenging subject of
restitution of works of art taken improperly during World War II," said
James Snyder, a museum director.

Von Saher praised the museum for its cooperation.

"It is heartening to see one of the world's leading museums do the right
thing," the statement quoted her as saying. "My family lost so much in the
war."

Goudstikker's granddaughter said in a statement issued in New York that the
family will continue to pursue the return of stolen works of art.

"We feel it is time to let the public know what we are doing," said Charlene
von Saher, who is Marei von Saher's daughter. "We have the best researchers
and the best lawyers on our side, and I look forward to the day when my
grandfather's legacy will be completely restored."

According to the museum, the research revealed that the drawing surfaced for
auction in 1941 and changed ownership several times before it was donated to
the Israel Museum in 1970.  

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/552552.html