Nazi art returned to heirs

The Manhattan District Attorney's Office returned an Egon Schiele drawing, 'Seated Nude Woman, front view,' to the heirs of Fritz Grünbaum, a Jewish cabaret performer whose art collection was looted by the Nazis during World War II. This marks the 11th artwork returned to the Grünbaum family, with the drawing being seized from the estate of Gustav 'Gus' Papanek, who purchased it in 1961 without knowledge of its stolen origins. Both the Grünbaum and Papanek families participated in a ceremony in New York, with DA Alvin Bragg emphasizing the importance of addressing the legacy of Nazi-looted art. The return highlights the ongoing impact of historical injustices and the cooperation between the families in rectifying this issue. Timothy Reif, a descendant of Grünbaum, stated that the recovery sends a strong message that crime does not pay. Ongoing legal battles continue, particularly involving another Schiele work claimed by the Art Institute of Chicago.