Provenance research in the collections of applied arts. The Acquisitions 1933-1998

The LWL-Museum für Kunst und Kultur in Münster systematically examines its collection for cultural property seized as a result of Nazi persecution. With funding from the Stiftung Deutsches Zentrum Kulturgutverluste (German Lost Art Foundation), a first project was carried out from 2018 to 2020 to examine the paintings of the museum's Modern Art collection. Subsequently, a three-year project examined the medieval panel paintings and paintings from the 16th to 19th century.

Beginning in October 2023, the applied art objects in the museum's collection will now be investigated to determine their provenance. Between 1933 and 1998, nearly 600 objects were acquired whose exact provenance is unknown or suspect. The objects under investigation include furniture, textiles, earthenware, porcelain and glass. Already during the preliminary examination, urgent suspicion could be established for about 50 objects, while the remaining objects show gaps with regard to their provenance between 1933 and 1945.

Results of the research project are going to be published on the museum's website and/or in the Collection Online. In addition, the provenances and object autopsies will be documented in detail in the museum database. During the project, interim results, methods, obstacles, and sources of the conducted research will be communicated to and discussed with the public during tours of the museum collection and in lectures.

(c) LWL-Museum für Kunst und Kultur.