Restituted Objects

Each object tells a story. Some are still missing, some are restituted or resolved, and some have cases still pending. The circumstances of looting and the efforts for recovery are just as fascinating as the famous works of art themselves.

Domenico Pennicchini (1860 - 1910), In the Wine Cellar

Max and Irma Sborowitz owned a large textile factory with agencies throughout Czechoslovakia. They manufactured all sorts of outfits and made all of the coats for the Czech Army during World War I. The factory was very successful and the Sborowitz’s began collecting art. They acquired a glorious collection of 19th and 20th century paintings and drawings from artists throughout Europe.

In 1939, when the Nazis invaded Czechoslovakia, Max was warned by neighbours that the Gestapo wanted to speak to him and he was forced to leave his family home. The Gestapo arrived within 10 minutes of Max leaving his house. The only possessions the family took with them were money, jewels and a photo album of 150 of their beloved works of art.

In May 2009, Sage Recovery spotted a watercolour from the Sborowitz album for sale at the Dorortheum. The painting is entitled In the Wine Cellar by the Italian artist Domenico Pennacchini (1860 – 1910). Sage immediately contacted the Dorotheum and they were very cooperative. They had researched this particular painting and discovered that it had gone through the Dorotheum sales room in 1942. This meant it was most likely looted, since the Dorotheum acted as a Nazi clearinghouse during the war.

Sage sent them a copy of the photograph that the family has, and the experts at the Dorotheum agreed that the photograph matched the Pennacchini watercolour that was up for sale. They pulled the work of art from the auction until the best course of action could be determined. Sage worked with the Dorotheum to negotiate an agreement that all parties were happy with. The issue was resolved very quickly thanks to the willingness of everyone involved.

Gustav Klimt, Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Street Scene, Berlin

Henri Matisse, Odalisque

Edvard Munch, Summer Night on the Beach

Nicholas de Nuefchatel, Portrait of Jan van Eversdyck

Domenico Pennacchini, In the Wine Cellar

Pablo Picasso, Portrait of Angel Fernández de Soto

Egon Schiele, Autumn Sun (Herbstonne)