The Republic of Austria will not get back the painting “Apple Tree II” by Klimt that was wrongly returned in 2001. Instead, a comparison was made with the heirs of art collector Nora Stiasny, who was murdered during the Shoah – they are now paying 11.3 million euros for a future permanent location for the House of Austrian History (hdgö), as the Ministry of Culture said on Friday. announced.
The state’s attempts to repurchase the painting failed due to its current owners. According to the broadcast, they did not want to enter into a dialogue with the Republic. “While it hurts that there is no way to return the ‘Apple Tree II’ painting to Austria, it is nevertheless gratifying that the long and complicated history of returning this painting has come to an end with the current settlement. ”, explains Secretary of State for Culture Andrea Mayer (Greens).
“Very gratifying” for the heirs
“At the same time, we must never forget that these and other returns are based on the systematic exclusion, persecution and murder of countless people during National Socialism,” Mayer continued. On the other hand, Alfred J. Noll, representative of the heirs, described it as “extremely gratifying” that an agreement could now be reached with the Finanzprokuratur “after tough negotiations”.
Seed capital for new hdgö location
The compensation payment is set out as a reserve in the Ministry’s budget. It has been agreed with the Ministry of Finance that the money will be earmarked for a future, sustainable solution for the location of the hdgö. “The House of History has been in need of a permanent and sustainable spatial solution for years,” says Mayer. Work is currently being done on this, although there is no concrete plan yet, 10.6 million euros is “good starting capital for such a challenge”, according to the State Secretary.
Image confused with other work
In 2001, the Republic of Austria awarded the painting “Apple Tree II” by Klimt to the heirs of the Austrian Nora Stiasny on the recommendation of the Art Restitution Advisory Council. Wrongly, as it turned out.
In a sense, it was a case of confusion with Klimt’s “Rosen unter Bäume” (Roses under trees), which were part of the Stiasny collection. The French National Assembly followed this position last year, restoring “roses under the trees”.
Source: Krone
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