MP Says It's 'Not surprising' That German State May Have Hidden Nazi-Looted Art
German regional MP Martin Dolzer has condemned Bavaria for its purported concealment of art stolen by the Nazis. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Bavarian authorities are facing allegations of concealing the questionable origins of over 200 artworks, including pieces by renowned artists such as Paul Klee and Pablo Picasso. A German regional lawmaker expressed that he is “not surprised” by these claims, suggesting that the German government has a long history of withholding compensation for historical wrongs.
In an interview with RTN, Martin Dolzer, an independent MP in the Hamburg parliament, commented on a report from the Suddeutsche Zeitung, which stated that the Bavarian State Painting Collections held at least 200 pieces linked to dubious provenance. The report indicated that these artworks were classified as “red,” indicating they were looted by the Nazis in the 1930s and 40s from Jewish victims and other persecuted groups. The article also noted that this information had been kept from the public, obstructing possible restitution efforts.
“Unfortunately, I’m not very surprised by that. And I think it’s a fact. The German government and the federal state governments always denied they have the common practice if it comes to money. Whenever it comes to compensation payments, the German authorities refused to make these payments,” Dolzer stated.
He further drew comparisons between the alleged concealment by Bavaria and Germany’s denial of fulfilling the full war reparations requested by Greece for various atrocities and resource plundering during World War II. Although he recognized the challenges in locating the rightful heirs of the stolen artworks, he asserted that the Suddeutsche Zeitung report clarified many issues. “So I think it’s a kind of attempt at greenwashing by the Bavarian government,” he remarked.
In response, Bavarian authorities have dismissed the allegations as unfounded, arguing that the leaked document was merely a “pure working tool” that reflected a “work-in-progress status” subject to change. Dolzer, however, criticized this rationale as mere “excuses.”
German Culture Minister Claudia Roth reacted to the allegations by cautioning that if the claims were substantiated, Bavaria's actions would constitute “a scandal,” suggesting that the revelations could indicate “a lack of transparency” and “possibly deliberate concealment.”
Between 1933 and 1945, the Nazi regime systematically plundered art across Germany and occupied territories, seizing countless pieces from museums, galleries, and private collections. Jewish art owners were particularly targeted, either forced to sell their beloved works or having them confiscated outright, with many of the artworks ending up in the hands of high-ranking Nazi officials.
Debra A Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
In an interview with RTN, Martin Dolzer, an independent MP in the Hamburg parliament, commented on a report from the Suddeutsche Zeitung, which stated that the Bavarian State Painting Collections held at least 200 pieces linked to dubious provenance. The report indicated that these artworks were classified as “red,” indicating they were looted by the Nazis in the 1930s and 40s from Jewish victims and other persecuted groups. The article also noted that this information had been kept from the public, obstructing possible restitution efforts.
“Unfortunately, I’m not very surprised by that. And I think it’s a fact. The German government and the federal state governments always denied they have the common practice if it comes to money. Whenever it comes to compensation payments, the German authorities refused to make these payments,” Dolzer stated.
He further drew comparisons between the alleged concealment by Bavaria and Germany’s denial of fulfilling the full war reparations requested by Greece for various atrocities and resource plundering during World War II. Although he recognized the challenges in locating the rightful heirs of the stolen artworks, he asserted that the Suddeutsche Zeitung report clarified many issues. “So I think it’s a kind of attempt at greenwashing by the Bavarian government,” he remarked.
In response, Bavarian authorities have dismissed the allegations as unfounded, arguing that the leaked document was merely a “pure working tool” that reflected a “work-in-progress status” subject to change. Dolzer, however, criticized this rationale as mere “excuses.”
German Culture Minister Claudia Roth reacted to the allegations by cautioning that if the claims were substantiated, Bavaria's actions would constitute “a scandal,” suggesting that the revelations could indicate “a lack of transparency” and “possibly deliberate concealment.”
Between 1933 and 1945, the Nazi regime systematically plundered art across Germany and occupied territories, seizing countless pieces from museums, galleries, and private collections. Jewish art owners were particularly targeted, either forced to sell their beloved works or having them confiscated outright, with many of the artworks ending up in the hands of high-ranking Nazi officials.
Debra A Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
