Amsterdam officials have announced to return a popular painting by Wassily Kandinsky to the heirs of its true Jewish owner. It is an important decision announced by the Amsterdam municipality. This subject was into the air for a long time due to the years-long legal dispute over the painting.
Since 1940, the painting is in the Stedeljik Museum‘s collection. “Painting with Houses (1909)” is the name of the canvas by Wassily Kandinsky. Now, Amsterdam officials have decided to transfer it from the Stedeljik Museum to the family members of Irma Klein & Robert Lewenstein.
The painting was with the couple, Irma Klein & Robert Lewenstein, before the start of the Nazi regime over the Netherlands. It was during World War II in 1940 when it took place.
Until now, it is not clear whether or not Klein or Lewenstein played any part in its action. But the painting was auctioned at a lower price than its market value. The auction event took place five months from the start of the Nazi’s invasion.
Justice for Klein’s Heirs
In 2018, a Dutch court said the painting wasn’t undergone seizure before its public sale in 1940. And it added the museum bought it following all the rules of auction. At that time, the museum leaders didn’t know anything about the prewar history of the painting.
Hence, the court called a policy revolving around the, “balance of interests“. It made it to judge the value of the painting in accordance with the museum and the heirs. Klein’s heirs called it a grave injustice.
Now since the Amsterdam officials have agreed upon delivering it to them, they are happy with their decision. Simon van der Sluijs, Kelin’s heirs attorney said, “This is a historic injustice that is being put right.”
In the past, Attorneys representing the heirs claimed that painting didn’t set for the right sale value. Moreover, they said it was sold under duress.
Amsterdam Municipality Fulfills a Moral Obligation
An Amsterdam court supported the 2018 ruling last year. And it decided to keep the painting at the Stedelijk. The decision of the court received a great criticism from public. It led to the establishment of the Kohnsatamm Committee by the Dutch minister of Culture.
Now, Amsterdam’s municipality called it a “moral obligation” to give the painting to the heirs of its original owners. It states the city focuses on a fair and clear restitution policy involving the return of looted art to its rightful owners or their heirs.
