Provenance

Provenance research has high-level priority at the Stiftung für Kunst, Kultur und Geschichte (SKKG) [Foundation for Art, Culture and History]. The SKKG feels ethically obliged to honor both the former ownership and the circumstances of the loss through fair and just solutions. The SKKG has chosen a two-step approach by designating two independent bodies for this purpose: a provenance research team and the Independent Commission SKKG.

By indexing the biographies of the objects and identifying possible cultural property lost due to persecution, the SKKG is creating added value for dealing with the works as well as for coming to terms with the history of the collection.

Following an initiation phase, the main phase of the project began in January 2024. The aim of the project is to proactively identify and research those collections that are particularly likely to have a Nazi-related context.

The SKKG publishes the results of its investigations in conjunction with the basic information necessary for understanding them.

Basic Principles and Rules of Procedure

Zweistufiges Verfahren

The foundation has chosen a two-stage approach and has appointed two independent institutions for this purpose. From the SKKG's point of view, a clear separation of provenance research and the decision on how to deal with individual cases is crucial. This allows provenance research to work freely and solely in accordance with scientific standards. The evaluation of findings in individual cases is the responsibility of the Commission.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Auf einem Wagen mit drei Ablageflächen liegen vergoldete Bilderrahmen mit Papier zum Schutz auf den Rahmen.

Provenances are investigated by a team of in-house research employees, whose work is managed and reviewed by an external entity (SKKG Provenance Research Management Team). The latter submits results and their evaluation for possible further action to an independent commission.

The Unabhängige Kommission der Stiftung für Kunst, Kultur und Geschichte zur Klärung NS-verfolgungsbedingter Ansprüche (Independent Commission of the Stiftung für Kunst, Kultur und Geschichte for Clarifying Claims Resulting from Nazi Persecution, hereafter the “Independent Commission SKKG”) is autonomous. It makes its decisions independently of both the SKKG board and the in-house Provenance Research Team. The Commission has its own office, which reports directly to its president for technical matters and issues relating to human resources.

Documents on the proceedings that have been opened can be found on the website of the Independent Commission SKKG.

Provenienzforschung

SKKG Provenance Research Team

Nora Halfbrodt, Coordinator for SKKG Provenance Research
Dr. Nina Blum de Almeida, Research Assistant
Dr. Ylva Meyer, Research Assistant
Laura Studer, Research Assistant
Christian Vedani, Editor

Team Contacts

SKKG Provenance Research Management Team

Dr. Carolin Lange, Head of SKKG Provenance Research (external)
Dr. Thomas Schmutz, Head of SKKG Provenance Research (external)
Rahel Urech, Assistant to Head of SKKG Provenance Research

Unabhängige Kommission SKKG

The Unabhängige Kommission der Stiftung für Kunst, Kultur und Geschichte zur Klärung NS-verfolgungsbedingter Ansprüche (Independent Commission of the Stiftung für Kunst, Kultur und Geschichte for Clarifying Claims Resulting from Nazi Persecution, hereafter the “Independent Commission SKKG”),) decides on how to deal with the results of provenance research. The work of this commission is based on the Foundation's principles for dealing with cultural assets seized as a result of Nazi persecution and its rules of procedure.