The Struggle for Justice: Post-WWII Restitution of Richard Morawetz' Art Collection

Abstract

This presentation shows the post-WWII restitution efforts for the significant art collection of Richard Morawetz, which was deposited in the the National Gallery Prague in 1939. Following the family's escape from Czechoslovakia to avoid Nazi persecution, Richard Morawetz engaged in a legal battle after the war to reclaim his art collection. Although his ownership was legally recognised, the artworks remained in the gallery's depositories and were officially confiscated by the state in the 1960s. This presentation focuses on the immediate post-war restitution efforts, detailing the court proceedings and illustrating how state institutions misused laws in order to retain control over the art pieces.