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Picasso, Matisse and Dix among works found in Munich's Nazi art stash Picasso, Matisse and Dix among works found in Munich's Nazi art stash
(about 1 hour later)
An art haul confiscated from a Munich flat includes previously unknown works by Marc Chagall and Otto Dix, and original pieces by Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso, Bavarian authorities have revealed.An art haul confiscated from a Munich flat includes previously unknown works by Marc Chagall and Otto Dix, and original pieces by Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso, Bavarian authorities have revealed.
At a press conference in Augsburg, the art historian who has been studying the collection since its discovery gave a first glimpse of the trove, which includes modernist works as well as older pieces dating back as far as the 16th century.At a press conference in Augsburg, the art historian who has been studying the collection since its discovery gave a first glimpse of the trove, which includes modernist works as well as older pieces dating back as far as the 16th century.
The whereabouts of the 80-year-old owner of the flat, Austrian Cornelius Gurlitt, is not known.The whereabouts of the 80-year-old owner of the flat, Austrian Cornelius Gurlitt, is not known.
Treasures found in Gurlitt's flat include works by Franz Marc, Oskar Kokoschka, Toulouse Lautrec, Pablo Picasso, Max Liebermann, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Max Beckmann, a Canaletto sketch of Padua, a Carl Spitzweg etching of a couple playing music, and a Gustave Courbet painting of a girl with a goat. Treasures found in Gurlitt's flat include works by Franz Marc; Oskar Kokoschka; Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec; Pablo Picasso; Max Liebermann; Ernst Ludwig Kirchner; Max Beckmann; a Canaletto sketch of Padua; a Carl Spitzweg etching of a couple playing music and a Gustave Courbet painting of a girl with a goat.
But art historian Meike Hoffmann of Berlin's Free University said the art world would be particularly excited about the discovery of a Matisse painting from around 1920 and works that were previously unknown or unseen: an Otto Dix self portrait dated around 1919, and a Marc Chagall guache painting of a metaphorical scene. Hoffmann said it had been "an incredible feeling of joy" to discover these paintings in good conditions. But art historian Meike Hoffmann, of the Free University of Berlin, said the art world would be particularly excited about the discovery of a Matisse painting from around 1920 and works that were previously unknown or unseen: an Otto Dix self-portrait dated around 1919, and a Chagall gouache painting of a metaphorical scene. Hoffmann said it had been "an incredible feeling of joy" to discover these paintings in good condition.
Customs officials also used the press conference to correct a number of initial press reports. They said the flat had been raided in March 2012, not in early 2011 as Focus magazine reported on Sunday.Customs officials also used the press conference to correct a number of initial press reports. They said the flat had been raided in March 2012, not in early 2011 as Focus magazine reported on Sunday.
Gurlitt had sold a Max Beckmann painting to a Cologne auction house in September 2011, inviting speculation that he had another stash of artworks hidden in another location. This, said Munich customs official Siegfried Klöble, was "not likely".Gurlitt had sold a Max Beckmann painting to a Cologne auction house in September 2011, inviting speculation that he had another stash of artworks hidden in another location. This, said Munich customs official Siegfried Klöble, was "not likely".
Gurlitt's current location or wellbeing is not known. When asked by one journalist if Gurlitt was still alive, Augsburg chief prosecutor Reinhard Nemetz said he could not comment. Gurlitt's current location or wellbeing is not known. When asked by one journalist if Gurlitt was still alive Augsburg chief prosecutor, Reinhard Nemetz, said he could not comment.
Authorities said the total number of artworks found was 1,406 – 121 of them framed, the rest unframed – and that they had been stored professionally and were in a good condition. Authorities said the total number of artworks found was 1,406 – 121 of them framed – and that they had been stored professionally and were in a good condition.
There were currently no plans to put the pieces online, as this may not be in the interest of the rightful owners. Instead, the customs officials were hoping that people with a claim to ownership would contact the authorities directly. There were no plans to put the pieces online, as this may not be in the interest of the rightful owners. Instead, customs officials were hoping people with a claim to ownership would contact the authorities directly.
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