In a significant and heartwarming gesture, the Allentown Art Museum in Pennsylvania has agreed to auction off a 16th century portrait, “Portrait of George the Bearded, Duke of Saxony,” as part of a restitution claim by the heirs of the former owner, a Jewish family who had to part with it while fleeing Nazi Germany before World War II. The painting, attributed to German Renaissance master Lucas Cranach the Elder and Workshop, has been a part of the museum’s collection since 1961.
The portrait originally belonged to Henry Bromberg, a judge of the magistrate court in Hamburg, Germany, who inherited a remarkable collection of Old Master paintings from his father. The Brombergs, Henry, and Hertha, faced years of Nazi persecution before leaving Germany in 1938 and eventually settling in the United States after seeking refuge in Switzerland and France.
Their lawyer, Imke Gielen, highlighted the emotional journey of the Brombergs, stating that they had to sell their artworks, including the Cranach painting, through various dealers while fleeing the horrors of Nazi Germany. Despite the hardships they faced, the Brombergs managed to rebuild their lives in New Jersey and later in Yardley, Pennsylvania.
Two years ago, the descendants of the Brombergs approached the museum regarding the painting, which led to settlement talks. The decision to auction off the painting was seen as a fair and just resolution by museum officials, acknowledging the ethical dimensions of the painting’s past in the Bromberg family.
Max Weintraub, the museum’s president and CEO, emphasized the moral duty to act upon learning about the painting’s history with the Bromberg family. The oil painting, dated around 1534, will be auctioned at Christie’s Old Master sale in New York in January, with the proceeds from the sale being split between the museum and the family under a confidential settlement agreement.
While there was some uncertainty regarding the circumstances of the painting’s sale, the compromise reached between the museum and the family signified a mutual understanding and respect for the painting’s complex history. Christie’s, the auction house, expressed excitement about the upcoming sale, highlighting the rarity and importance of a work by Lucas Cranach the Elder.
The Bromberg family, who has also secured agreements for other works, continues the search for approximately 80 other lost artworks believed to have been affected by Nazi persecution. Their journey of reclaiming their cultural heritage is a powerful testament to resilience and justice.
In a statement, the Bromberg family expressed their satisfaction with the museum’s careful handling of the painting’s provenance and acknowledged the importance of preserving their grandparents’ art collection in memory of their legacy.
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