About the Investigation
Investigation from 2009
The investigation into Museum Acquisitions from 1933 onwards began in 2009. It focused specifically on art in Dutch museums. The aim was to look at museum collections in connection with the theft, confiscation and sale of objects under duress between 1933 and 1945: did the collection acquire objects after 1933 whose provenance suggests they may have been stolen, confiscated or sold under duress or linked to other suspicious circumstances between 1933 and the end of the Second World War?
Follow-up to the investigation into Museum Acquisitions in 1940-1948
This investigation follows on from the investigation into Museum Acquisitions in 1940-1948 that the Museums Association asked its members to conduct in 1998-1999.
More information
Why this investigation?
During the Second World War a huge amount of art was stolen, much of which had been owned by Jews. More...
Which museums took part?
Museums with collections that fell within the parameters of the investigation. In general, most museums were keen to participate. Altogether, 163 museums took part in the investigation. More...
How was the investigation conducted?
While responsibility for accurate reporting lay with the Committee for Museum Acquisitions from 1933 onwards, the museums did their own investigating. Museum staff were employed to sort through their registration systems. More...
Which objects are shown on this website?
This website presents objects the provenance of which suggests that they may have been stolen, confiscated or sold under duress between 1933 and 1945. More...
What next?
Where it seems likely that an artwork was obtained from its owner by theft, confiscation or sale under duress, the museum attempts to contact the relatives or heirs of the owner. More...
Publication Museum Acquisitions from 1933 onwards
This publication provides an account of the investigation. More...
Symposium 2013
The results of the investigation into Museum Acquisitions from 1933 onwards were published on 29 October 2013. More...
Committee
An independent committee of experts supervised the conduct of the investigation. More...
Links and references
An overview of links to relevant websites and a list of publications. More...