Swiss Museum Returns Nazi-Looted Sisley Painting to Jewish Family Heirs

Kunstmuseum Bern relinquishes ownership of Alfred Sisley's 'Le Chemin des Bois à Ville-d'Avray' following provenance research revealing its forced sale during Nazi persecution.

Key Takeaways

Kunstmuseum Bern has relinquished ownership of Alfred Sisley's 'Le Chemin des Bois à Ville-d'Avray' from 1879
The painting came to Kunstmuseum Bern through a foundation bequest in 1994
Carl Sachs sold the painting to Lucerne art dealer Theodor Fischer in 1940 under Nazi persecution
Theodor Fischer had business dealings with the Nazi regime

By The Numbers

1879

Year the painting was created

1939

Year Carl Sachs and his wife fled Nazi persecution

1994

Year the painting was bequeathed to Kunstmuseum Bern

They Said

"The sale can be traced back to the persecution by the Nazi regime"
— Kunstmuseum Bern

Historic Restitution Decision

The Painting's Journey

Nazi Persecution and Forced Sale

Swiss Museum's Response

Sources & References

Swiss museum renounces painting by Alfred Sisley

SWI swissinfo.ch

Key Takeaways

Kunstmuseum Bern has relinquished ownership of Alfred Sisley's 'Le Chemin des Bois à Ville-d'Avray' from 1879
The painting came to Kunstmuseum Bern through a foundation bequest in 1994
Carl Sachs sold the painting to Lucerne art dealer Theodor Fischer in 1940 under Nazi persecution
Theodor Fischer had business dealings with the Nazi regime

By The Numbers

1879

Year the painting was created

1939

Year Carl Sachs and his wife fled Nazi persecution

1994

Year the painting was bequeathed to Kunstmuseum Bern

They Said

"The sale can be traced back to the persecution by the Nazi regime"
— Kunstmuseum Bern

Key Takeaways

By The Numbers

They Said

Historic Restitution Decision

The Painting's Journey

Nazi Persecution and Forced Sale

Swiss Museum's Response

Sources & References

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