Heirs of Holocaust Victims File Lawsuits in California for Nazi-Looted Artworks
Heirs of Holocaust victims have launched a legal battle under newly enacted California laws for the restitution of art housed in museums in Los Angeles and Poland.
Jewish heirs and representatives have filed two separate lawsuits to reclaim artwork forcibly seized during World War II, under new legislation passed by California and the U.S. Congress.
New Legal Steps in California
These lawsuits filed by Jewish heirs mark the first legal steps taken following new regulatory measures enacted by California and the U.S. Congress that strengthen claims for art confiscated during the war period.
Lawsuit Against the Norton Simon Museum
A lawsuit was filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court against the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena by the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles and its board chair, Daniel Gryczman.
Under this lawsuit, the restitution of the 1530 masterpiece 'Adam and Eve' by Lucas Cranach the Elder is being demanded.
Federal Lawsuit for Auschwitz Artworks
A separate lawsuit was filed in federal court in Los Angeles by the daughters of the late Dina Gottliebova Babbitt.
This lawsuit demands the return of watercolor paintings—allegedly created while she was imprisoned at Auschwitz and forced to draw them for Josef Mengele—from the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum in Poland.
Approach of Museums and Officials
Spokespersons for both museums stated that they hold legal ownership of the artworks and plan to continue exhibiting them to the public.