New York City announces return of stolen Nazi art to Austrian Jewish owners

Art stolen by Nazi Germany was returned to its Austrian Jewish owners Friday, according to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.

Seated Nude Woman, front view by the Austrian artist Egon Schiele was originally owned by Austrian-Jewish cabaret performer Fritz Grünbaum, whose art collection was stolen by the Nazis. The drawing is believed to depict Schiele’s wife, Edith.

The piece was purchased by Gustav “Gus” Papanek, an Austrian Jew who fled the Nazis in 1938 and was reportedly unaware that the artwork had been stolen. The Papanek family reportedly cooperated with the Manhattan DA and Homeland Security Investigations.

Ceremony held on artwork's return
A ceremony was held on Friday with Grünbaum and Papanek family members, Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, Jr., and Special Agent in Charge Ivan Arvelo.

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