George Grosz Paintings to Remain in Bremen, Commission Recommends

The advisory commission has advised against the restitution of two Grosz artworks, citing lack of evidence for Nazi-era confiscation claims.

The advisory commission concluded that the paintings 'Pompe Funèbre' and 'Stillleben mit Okarina, Fisch und Muschel' do not qualify as Nazi-looted art.
The decision was based on evidence that George Grosz lost ownership due to debts to his Jewish art dealer, Alfred Flechtheim, prior to the Nazi rise to power.
The commission found no proof that the paintings belonged to Grosz during the Nazi persecution period or that they were sold under duress.
The artworks are part of the collection at the Kunsthalle Bremen, where they will remain following the commission's recommendation.
A new arbitration court is planned to improve the restitution process for Nazi-looted art in Germany, allowing cases to proceed even if only the families of original owners request it.