Tate Gallery to return art Nazis stole from Belgian art collector during WWII

Nazi-Looted Artwork to be Returned to Heirs After Decades at Tate Gallery

A centuries-old painting, displayed at London’s Tate Gallery for over thirty years, is set to be restituted to the inheritors of a Belgian art collector who faced persecution by the Nazi regime during World War II. The artwork is being returned as part of ongoing efforts to recover Nazi-looted art and provide justice to the families of those impacted by wartime theft.

Spoliation Advisory Panel Facilitates Restitution

According to the United Kingdom’s Spoliation Advisory Panel, an entity dedicated to reclaiming art stolen by Nazis, the 1654 oil painting “Aeneas And His Family Fleeing Burning Troy” by Henry Gibbs was seized from Samuel Hartveld’s collection as “an act of racial persecution.” The panel’s recommendation underscores the painting’s history as Nazi-plundered art and its significance in the broader context of World War II-era looting.

Art historians interpret the canvas, depicting scenes from Virgil’s classical Latin epic poem “The Aeneid,” as Gibbs’ commentary on the English Civil War. The artwork’s historical and artistic value is further amplified by its connection to the displacement and suffering caused by Nazi persecution.

Reuniting a Stolen Legacy

The painting’s repatriation to Hartveld’s descendants is expected within the coming months, marking a poignant moment of closure for the family and a step forward in addressing the legacies of Nazi-era art theft. This restitution case highlights the ongoing process of identifying and returning cultural property misappropriated during the war.

Details of the Painting and its History

Artwork Specifics

• Title: Aeneas And His Family Fleeing Burning Troy
• Artist: Henry Gibbs
• Date: 1654
• Medium: Oil on canvas

Collector’s Flight and Loss

Samuel Hartveld, an art dealer, was compelled to flee Belgium with his spouse in 1940 amidst the Nazi invasion. Despite surviving World War II, Hartveld never recovered his stolen art collection. His residence and valuable paintings were reportedly sold by the Nazis for a minimal sum, reflecting the systematic dispossession of Jewish individuals and families during the Holocaust.

Widespread Nazi Looting and Lingering Impact

Regrettably, it is believed that a considerable portion of Samuel Hartveld’s plundered art collection remains unrecovered and may still be displayed in various European museums. This case is not isolated; the widespread Nazi looting operation resulted in the displacement of countless artworks, many of which are yet to be restituted to their rightful owners.

Hartveld’s heirs initiated their claim for the painting’s return in 2024, demonstrating a persistent commitment to reclaiming their family’s heritage. The Tate Gallery, which acquired the artwork in 1994 from a Brussels gallery, is cooperating with the restitution process.