The Langmatt Museum in Switzerland has reached a settlement with the heirs of Jacob Goldschmidt, the former owner of two important impressionist paintings. These artworks were believed to have been looted during the Nazi regime.
The settlement pertains to the painting "Fruit and Ginger Pot" by Paul Cézanne, which was auctioned in New York in November 2023. The auction aimed to support the museum's long-term financial sustainability and raised approximately CHF 40 million. The decision to auction the painting was influenced by findings from the Central Archive for German and International Art Market Research in Cologne, which revealed a link between the sale of the painting in 1933 and Nazi persecution. This has sparked a broader discussion about the provenance of artworks and the responsibilities of institutions in addressing historical injustices.
In addition to the Cézanne painting, the Langmatt Museum has also reached a settlement regarding a smaller work, "Fisherwomen on Berck Beach" by Eugène Boudin. The museum's foundation has compensated the heirs of this painting at market value while retaining ownership. Both the museum and the heirs expressed satisfaction with the resolution and their commitment to finding fair solutions for artworks with contentious histories.
The Langmatt Museum conducted an extensive provenance research initiative from 2022 to 2024, examining 13 impressionist paintings acquired by the Browns between 1933 and 1940. This investigation aimed to uncover any links to Nazi-looted art. While two paintings were identified as problematic, no evidence of Nazi looting was found for the remaining 11 works.
The Langmatt Museum's proactive approach to addressing historical injustices and ensuring transparency in the art market serves as a model for other institutions. The ongoing dialogue surrounding art restitution and the ethical responsibilities of collectors and institutions continues to gain momentum, particularly as more families seek to reclaim artworks lost during the Holocaust. The museum's settlements highlight the complexities of art ownership and the need for ongoing scrutiny of provenance. This reflects a broader societal shift towards accountability and reconciliation in the face of historical injustices.