Return of Cultural Property to the Heirs
The Bavarian State Painting Collections are returning the work "The Vision of St. Bernard" by Johannes Koerbecke to the descendants of Ellen Funke
Restitution of a Painting by the Bavarian State Painting Collections (Deutsch)
Munich. As the editorial team was informed today, the Bavarian State Painting Collections are returning the painting "The Vision of St. Bernard" by Johannes Koerbecke to the descendants of Ellen Funke. The artist Johannes Koerbecke (1407-1491) painted the "Vision of St. Bernard" in the third quarter of the 15th century on oak wood (the support measures 94 x 78.7 cm) and is listed in the Bavarian State Painting Collections under inventory number 10644. The work has been registered as Lost Art since 2020 (ID 592322). The Westphalian painter Johann Koerbecke probably painted this altarpiece between 1450 and 1475. It depicts the vision of an unknown monk: he saw the Cistercian abbot Bernard of Clairvaux embracing the crucified Jesus Christ in the Mores Monastery. The work was housed in the Bamberg State Gallery in the New Residence, which is part of the Bavarian State Painting Collections. Now, after "careful and scientifically sound provenance research," the painting has been returned to the heirs.
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| Evening mood. Bavaria seen from the Theresienwiese, photo: Helga Waess (Cover Kunst-Kultur-Blog) |
THE WELS FAMILY AS DESCENDANTS ON RESTITUTION
"We found the Bavarian State Painting Collections and all the staff involved to be open, positive, and dedicated. Therefore, we owe them our special thanks. The painting is now back in the "Alexander Haindorf Collection," which we, as descendants, are reassembling as best we can.
The personal return of the painting was a special and moving moment. We clearly sensed that all the staff of the Bavarian State Painting Collections were very happy about the return and just as moved as we were.
Such a process is often very long and requires expert support. Therefore, we would like to express our gratitude to Dr. Sabine Rudolph (a lawyer specializing in Nazi-looted art)."
ANTON BIEBL ON RESTITUTION
"The Bavarian State Painting Collections and the researchers of the newly established Department for Provenance Research at the Bavarian State Museums Agency are committed to clarifying historical injustices and securing the return of works of art confiscated during the Nazi era. Through careful and scientifically sound provenance research, lost cultural assets are made visible and fair solutions are made possible in the spirit of historical justice," emphasizes Anton Biebl, Director of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
