Painting stolen by Nazis found in New York museum by FBI

The artwork - entitled Winter, by American artist Gari Melchers - was on display at the Arkell Museum until it was recognised last month. Before being taken by the Nazis, it belonged to German-Jewish publisher and philanthropist Rudolf Mosse. The painting was purchased by Mr Mosse in 1900 at the Great Berlin Art Exhibition.

It was seized by the Nazis along with the rest of the Mosse family collection when they fled Germany. The family was persecuted by the Nazis for being Jewish and because they were affiliated with Berliner Tageblatte, a newspaper critical of the Nazi party.

In 1934, the work was acquired by American industrialist Bartlett Arkell from a New York City gallery. It was part of his personal collection before becoming part of the museum that bears his name.

The museum's executive director and chief curator, Susan D Friedlander, said that the museum was "very upset" to learn the painting's history. The museum waived all rights to the painting.



https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-50166562