World War II Art Restitution Exhibitions

Abstract


 
 
 Art history is about more than just the works of art that are currently on display in art galleries and museums. It is also about all the works that have been lost, stolen, or destroyed due to tumultuous chapters in human history. One of the largest chapters in human history to affect art history were the events of World War II. In order to help heal the wounds caused by this war, art historians and museum professionals across Europe and North America have dedicated their time to provenance research in order to begin processes of restitution. Two museums that have allocated time and money for provenance research and art restitution are the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, Missouri, USA, and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, England. This paper will examine these two museums and the exhibitions that resulted from their provenance research, as well as their restitution and repatriation work. By exploring the efforts made by the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the Victoria and Albert Museum, one is given a glimpse into how art historians and museum professionals can help make amends with those affected by tragedy.