News...Art Work Looted by Nazis

Artwork that was looted by the Nazis in the second world war, which are being held in British galleries and museums, are to be handed back to the victims' families.

Some people may be content for artworks to remain in public collections, but they should have the choice.  At the moment, they are not given that choice.

Laws have prevented museums and galleries from returning looted exhibits from public collections.  At the present time public galleries can only offer compensation to the relatives involved, whereas, private collections are free to return the disputed items. The government is now proposing to allow artworks to be handed back, under the Heritage Protection Bill.



One example is Jan Griffier the Elder's "View of Hampton court Palace", which is currently at the Tate, and some drawings at the British Museum.

The drawings, worth about £150,000, were stolen from Czech lawyer Arthur Feldmann, who was killed by the Nazis. The British Museum bought the drawings for nine guineas in 1946.



                  
                       The Elgin marbles could be sent back to their native Greece.