A valuable painting by German expressionist Karl Schmidt-Rottluff will permanently remain at the Von der Heydt Museum in Wuppertal after the city successfully purchased the artwork from its rightful heir following extensive provenance research. The work, titled "Two Women (Women in Green)," was the subject of a restitution case that has been resolved through what officials describe as a fair and just solution.
City Director Matthias Nocke, Museum Director Dr. Roland Mönig, Dr. Josephine Karg from the Cultural Foundation of the States (Kulturstiftung der Länder), Chiruzu Kahl from the Ernst von Siemens Art Foundation, and attorney Julius Kaspar Niesert outlined the details of the case during a press conference today. The officials emphasized that the resolution was developed collaboratively to ensure fairness for all parties involved.
The case involved intensive research into the painting's provenance, which ultimately led to the decision to return the artwork to its rightful heir. However, rather than losing the significant piece from its collection, the Von der Heydt Museum was able to negotiate the purchase of "Two Women (Women in Green)" directly from the heir, allowing the expressionist masterpiece to remain accessible to the public in Wuppertal.
This resolution represents a growing trend in the art world where museums work closely with heirs and legal representatives to find mutually beneficial solutions to restitution cases, particularly those involving artworks with complex histories from the early to mid-20th century. The involvement of major cultural foundations in facilitating the agreement demonstrates the importance placed on both historical justice and preserving public access to significant artworks.
