The search for Nazi-confiscated property – Provenance research in Saxony-Anhalt
Dr. Uwe Hartmann (head of the Provenance Research Department at the German Lost Art Foundation) gave an introduction to the field of provenance research.Dr. Monika Gibas (Institute of Social Sciences, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg), Susanna Köller (employee of Kunstmuseum Moritzburg Halle) and Dr. Karin Heise (director of the Kulturhistorisches Museum at Schloss Merseburg) also gave presentations on their provenance research projects, most of which are funded by the Foundation.Prof. Ulrike Höroldt (director of the Saxony-Anhalt state archive) spoke about possible sources for provenance research in the Saxony-Anhalt archives. Mathias Deinert (provenance researcher, currently working for Museumsverband Sachsen-Anhalt e. V.) provided an update on the progress of his provenance research at five selected museums in Saxony-Anhalt.
The German Lost Art Foundation also announced that the Foundation’s executive board had accepted the funding request from the Bibliotheksverband Sachsen-Anhalt library association. The library association will launch an initial check project with the approved funding. The aim is to establish whether the historic book holdings in publicly funded municipal libraries (in Magdeburg, Dessau, Sangerhausen, Wernigerode and Zerbst) are suspected of containing cultural assets seized as a result of Nazi persecution (Nazi-confiscated property). The initial check can subsequently determine whether or not there is a need for further, long-term provenance research. This is the first project of this kind to be carried out by a library association.
“The projects presented here today reflect the current increasing awareness of the need for provenance research in Saxony-Anhalt,” said Schneede in his summing up. This need is also demonstrated by the over 100 participants from museums, libraries, archives, universities and other academic institutions.
Find the detailed meeting report here.
Manuscripts of the speakers
Please note that the manuscripts are only available in German.
Media response
Please note that the press reports are only available in German.
Volksstimme: Auf der Suche im Heimatmuseum
MDR: Wissenschaftler suchen rechtmäßige Besitzer
FOCUS/DPA: Bibliotheken suchen nach NS-Raubgut