Art

Holocaust survivor reunited with her childhood paintings

Five Gustav Klimt paintings that were stolen by the Nazis during World War II have finally found their way back to the last remaining family member.

Adele Bloch-Bauer

One of the five paintings (most exquisite of the five), is of Adele Bloch-Bauer. It is valued at over $120 million and is the centerpiece of the collection. Her niece, 90-year-old Los Angeles resident Maria Altmann, is the rightful owner of the collection and she has insisted to place it on public display for everyone to enjoy. The five paintings will be displayed, at least temporarily, at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

Altman chose to exhibit the paintings in Los Angeles as a tribute to the city that welcomed her when she fled the Nazis.

Gustav Klimt, widely considered one of the great figures of early 20th century painting, embodied the height of Viennese art.

This is just one of many stories of masterpieces taken form Jewish families during World War II; at least this one had a happy ending!

About the Author

Amitai Sasson of overstockArt.com is an art world traveler on a mission to seek out the beauty and passion of the art world. As an avid enthusiast of art and oil paintings, he contributes to ArtCorner.com as Chief editor and writer.