The Dutch state should return three precious paintings to the descendants of Jewish art dealer Jacques Goudstikker, a commission on Holocaust-era stolen artworks ruled.

In its findings on the Goudstikker claim, the Advisory Committee on the Assessment of Restitution Applications for Items of Cultural Value and the Second World War said on Tuesday that the Dutch state should return paintings by Philips Wouwerman; Dominicus van Tol and Hendrik Gerritsz – all 17th century painters of the Dutch Golden Age.

Jet Bussemaker, the Netherlands’ minister of education, culture and science, has accepted the committee’s recommendations on the three paintings, according to the Dutch news agency ANP.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

The paintings belonged to Goudstikker until 1940, when they left his possession and ended up in the hands of various owners, including Hermann Goring, former commander-in-chief of the German Air Force under Adolf Hitler.

The paintings then moved to the possession of the Bildenden Kunste museum in Leipzig before returning to the Netherlands.

The three paintings were incorporated into the national collection of artworks in 2012, according to an ANP report Wednesday.

In 2006, the Dutch government returned 202 of Goudstikker’s works to his family based on the recommendations of the restitution committee, which the Dutch government established in 1997. Many of the paintings were sold, and fetched approximately $10 million.

Goudstikker died in May 1940 while fleeing the Nazi invasion.

Last month, a separate committee on Holocaust-era stolen art determined that dozens of Dutch museums are in possession of at least 139 items with “problematic origins.”

The Forward is free to read, but it isn’t free to produce

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward.

Now more than ever, American Jews need independent news they can trust, with reporting driven by truth, not ideology. We serve you, not any ideological agenda.

At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and polarized discourse.

Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.

This is a great time to support independent Jewish journalism you rely on. Make a gift today!

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.

$90 $180

$360

Other amount