Ken's Korner: Holland to return art seized by the Nazis

Ken’s Korner: Holland to return art seized by the Nazis – The Journal of Antiques and Collectibles – April 2006
The government of Holland has agreed to return more than 200 old-master paintings to the heir of Jacques Goudstikker, a wealthy Dutch Jewish dealer and collector who fled Amsterdam ahead of advancing Nazi troops in 1940. The works include oils by Jan Steen, Anthony van Dyck, Salomon van Ruysdael, Jan Mostaert and Jan van Goyen. The works, collectively valued at well into the millions, have been hanging in 17 Dutch museums and other government buildings.
The restitution is the culmination of an eight-year battle spearheaded by Marei von Saher of Greenwich, Conn., the widow of Mr. Goudstikker’s son. Mrs. von Saher credited the outcome to her lawyers and to “times changing, because people are looking at Holocaust victims differently.” Mr. Goudstikker was only 42 when he died in an accident on the boat that was taking him to safety. His collection was purchased in July 1940 by Nazi leader Hermann Goring and his dealer, Alois Miedl.

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