Historic decision on Nazi art haul
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.AN ELDERLY woman from the Midlands is expected to become the first British relative of a Holocaust victim to reclaim a work of art sold to the Nazis at forced "Jew auctions".
Gerta Silberberg, 85, is hoping to recover a pounds 3.3m Van Gogh sketch which she claims her father-in-law was compelled to sell before he was sent to a concentration camp and died in the Holocaust.
In a landmark ruling tomorrow, Professor Klaus-Dieter Lehmann, president of the Foundation for Prussian Cultural Heritage, will ask his board for authorisation to restore property to Holocaust survivors and their families.
Wolfgang Kahlcke, a spokesman for the foundation, said last night that he expected Mrs Silberberg to win her case.
"In clear-cut cases, like this one, the president wants authority to act quickly," he said. If successful, Mrs Silberberg's case is likely to prompt scores more claims for works sold in Nazi Germany.
The sketch, Van Gogh's L'Olivette, which hangs in the National Gallery in Berlin, was one of 143 pictures sold by Mr Silberberg for a sum worth an estimated pounds 20m at today's prices.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
0Comments