As we all know from the Anita Halpin case earlier this week, finally those works of art stolen or extorted from their Jewish owners in Nazi Germany are being restored to their inheritors. There is some disquiet at the fact that they are then as with Ms. Halpin, turning around and selling them.
In fact more than disquiet: this comment makes me feel rather ill:
Meanwhile, Martin Roth, the director of Dresden’s art
museum, said last week that were it not for the system of restitution,
collectors "would never have dreamt of acquiring such works" which had
previously been regarded as beyond their reach, in museums.
"Paintings
formerly owned by Jews which found their way into German museums
because of injustice have to be handed back – period," he said. "But if
these heirs are being exploited by the market, I have the right to
criticise. It is my duty to protect the state’s art collections. What
hangs in our museums belongs to every citizen."
What hangs in museums belongs to every citizen? What, to the people? The Volk? Isn’t that part of the attitude that started the whole problem? That said Volk has greater rights than the individual?
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