Nazi-looted Monet artwork returned to family generations later
A pastel by renowned impressionist artist Claude Monet, seized by Nazis in Austria on the eve of World War II, has been returned to descendants of the original owner in a heartwarming ceremony in New Orleans. The FBI Art Crime Team presented Adalbert Parlagi’s granddaughters with the pastel, titled “Bord de Mer,” more than 80 years after it was taken from their family. The artwork depicts rocks along the Normandy coast, a poignant reminder of the D-Day landings in 1944.
Helen Lowe, one of Parlagi’s granddaughters, expressed her emotions during the event, feeling that her grandfather would be proud of the moment. The pastel is just one of 20,000 items recovered by the FBI out of an estimated total of 600,000 artworks stolen by the Nazis during World War II.
Adalbert Parlagi, a successful businessman and art enthusiast, fled Vienna with his wife, Hilda, when the Nazis annexed Austria in 1938. Despite their efforts to protect their valuables, including the Monet pastel, the Parlagis were unable to prevent the theft of their possessions, which were auctioned off by the Gestapo.
The journey to reclaim the Monet pastel was arduous, with the Parlagi family facing obstacles and setbacks over the years. Through meticulous record-keeping and perseverance, Françoise Parlagi, the son of Adalbert, eventually reached out to the Commission for Looted Art in Europe for assistance in 2014. The commission’s extensive research led to the discovery of the pastel in the possession of a New Orleans dealer.
Following a federal court ruling, the pastel was rightfully returned to the Parlagis’ descendants earlier this year. The family expressed gratitude for the return of the artwork and the closure it brought after years of searching. While some of the Parlagis’ stolen artworks are still missing, including pieces by renowned artists like Camille Pissarro and Paul Signac, the successful return of the Monet pastel symbolizes hope for other families seeking restitution for looted art.
The story of the Nazi-looted Monet artwork serves as a reminder of the atrocities committed during World War II and the ongoing efforts to right historical wrongs. The art world, according to experts, has a responsibility to investigate the origins of artworks and return looted pieces to their rightful owners, preserving the memory of lives lost and the world they were exiled from.
As Françoise Parlagi acknowledged the symbolic significance of the returned pastel, she highlighted the importance of hope for other families facing similar challenges in recovering their lost treasures. The touching reunion of the Parlagi family with the Monet artwork encapsulates a journey of resilience, remembrance, and justice in the face of adversity.
Jack Brook is a journalist with The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative, dedicated to shedding light on undercovered issues in local communities. Follow Brook on social media @jack_brook96.