Heirs of the Jewish collector demand from the Austrian government the restitution of the masterpiece of Gustav Klimt "Beethoven Frieze" Automatic translate

VEIN. Heirs of a former Jewish collector demand restitution of Beethoven Frieze’s masterpiece, Gustav Klimt, claiming that the work of art was sold in Austria after World War II under pressure equivalent to extortion. Marc Weber, a family lawyer, has officially confirmed that the heir to the previous owner of the masterpiece of painting, Erich Lederer, submitted a restitution request to the Austrian Ministry of Culture. The ministry, in turn, confirmed to the press that it had received a lawsuit.

The impressive fresco (34 meters long and two meters wide), belonging to the famous series of Gustav Klimt’s “Beethoven Frieze”, is one of the main attractions of Vienna. However, Erich Lederer claims that the Austrian state forced his family to sell the work in 1973, in exchange for permission to take abroad other works captured by the Nazis and returned to the collector after World War II.

The frieze, which, using allegorical figures, depicts a person’s path to happiness, was sold for 15 million Austrian shillings (1.09 million euros, $ 1.48 million), which is much less than its real value, estimated at 25 million shillings, according to experts of the auction house Christie (Christie).

Thanks to changes in Austrian law regarding restitution, now, the heirs of collectors have the opportunity to demand the return of masterpieces sold not of their own accord. As stated by Mark Weber: "According to the current legislation, it is now possible to return works of art that were sold to the state as part of the procedures associated with the introduction of an export ban." “Now, Austria will finally put an end to the injustice that lasted three quarters of a century,” he added.

How long the restitution procedure may take is not yet clear. Now the fresco is exhibited in the Vienna Secession - an art gallery, for which it was created at the time by Gustav Klimt in 1902. The work of art underwent a thorough restoration in the period from 1974 to 1985, after which it was exhibited in the Secession. Now, the fresco belongs to Austria and there is an assumption that it was acquired legally, since at the time of purchase it was in very poor condition, which is why the price of it was reduced.

Now, the court will determine the rightful owner. Recall that in 2006, another work of Gustav Klimt - “Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer” (Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer) - was the subject of a restorative dispute, and, ultimately, was returned to the previous owner.

Anna Sidorova © Gallerix.ru