Inaugural Exhibition in Paris
The Reflecting on Restitution programme kicked off on January 27th, 2023, with an inaugural public exhibition at Christie’s galleries in Paris. The exhibition, curated by contemporary French artist Raphael Denis, presents a series of installations that meticulously reconstruct lost art works. Each installation represents a specific work of art that was lost through confiscation, looting, or forced sale by Jewish collectors in France.
Vienna: The Story of Gustav Klimt’s Paintings
In another major event this spring, Christie’s Vienna hosted a lecture by Los Angeles restitution attorney Randy Schoenberg. The lecture focused on the famous case of the Gustav Klimt paintings once owned by the Czech sugar magnate Ferdinand Bloch-Bauer. These paintings, famously known as the “Woman in Gold” series, were the subject of a lengthy legal battle and were eventually returned to Bloch-Bauer’s heir, Maria Altmann. Schoenberg’s lecture provided valuable insight into the complexities of restitution cases and the ongoing quest for justice for looted art.
London: Provenance Research
Christie’s flagship galleries on King Street in London will host a panel discussion on emerging trends in provenance research. The event commemorates both the 25th anniversary of the Washington Principles and the 80th anniversary of the 1943 London Inter-Allied Declaration Against Acts of Dispossession Committed in Territories Under Enemy Occupation or Control. By exploring advances in provenance research, Christie’s aims to shed light on efforts to uncover the truth behind the ownership histories of artworks affected by Nazi-era confiscation.
Berlin: Jewish Art Legacy through a virtual walking Tour
In the summer of 2023, Christie’s will host a walking tour in Berlin, Germany. This unique tour will take participants to locations where Jewish art dealers and Jewish-owned auction houses once stood, as well as sites where looted art was sold or stored. As participants embark on this historic journey, an accompanying recording will capture the tour for posterity. This virtual tour will be made available to a global audience through Christie’s website, allowing art enthusiasts around the world to explore Berlin’s Jewish art heritage.
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The Evolution of Restitution: Insights from New York
In the fall of 2023, Christie’s Galleries at Rockefeller Centre in New York will host a panel discussion on the evolution of the restitution process following the Washington Conference. This event will provide a platform for experts and stakeholders to reflect on the progress made in the field of restitution over the past 25 years. By examining the challenges, successes, and future prospects of restitution, the discussion aims to further advance the important work of returning stolen artworks to their rightful owners.
Tel Aviv Conference: A Grand Finale
To conclude the year-long programme, Christie’s will partner with the Tel Aviv Museum of Art to host a conference on restitution and provenance research. This conference, to be held in December 2023, will serve as a testament to the 25th anniversary of the Washington Principles and the ongoing commitment to resolving the issues surrounding looted art. The conference will bring together experts, scholars, and stakeholders to share their knowledge and insights, fostering collaboration and dialogue in the pursuit of justice and historical accuracy.
For more information about the Reflecting on Restitution programme and the work of Christie’s global restitution team, visit Christie’s website at https://www.christies.com/events/reflecting-on-restitution-25-years-of-the-washington-principles/about?add_lang=en.
