Tate returns Nazi-looted Henry Gibbs painting to heirs of Jewish dealer

Tate will return the painting "Aeneas And His Family Fleeing Burning Troy" by Henry Gibbs to the descendants of Jewish dealer Samuel Hartveld, who owned it before it was looted by the Nazis in 1942. Tate acquired the work in 1994, unaware of its troubled past. The Spoliation Advisory Panel emphasized the importance of addressing claims for looted artwork, reflecting ongoing efforts to rectify past injustices related to racial persecution during WWII. The restitution highlights the complexities surrounding art ownership and the legacy of historical injustices.

The painting, Aeneas And His Family Fleeing Burning Troy, was taken by the Nazis in 1942 and will be returned to Samuel Hartveld's descendants.

Maria Balshaw, Tate's director, stated that crucial facts concerning the artwork’s previous ownership were not known during its acquisition in 1994.

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