April 11, 2009
Nazi-looting paintings returned from Hearst Castle
California has returned three Renaissance paintings that were confiscated from Jewish art dealers in Nazi Germany during the 1930s.From the BBC.The 16th-Century paintings were returned to the heirs of their former owners, Jakob and Rosa Oppenheimer, who died during the Holocaust.
After World War II, the paintings ended up in the collection of US newspaper tycoon, William Randolph Hearst. . .
Copies of two of the paintings will stay on display at Hearst Castle along with the original of the third painting belonging to the couple.
Posted by David on April 11, 2009 8:13 AM
Mr. Hearst seems to have an eye for "bargins" or things he wanted, no matter what the significance and history of the items might be. As I recall, he also counted as close friends Henry Ford and Charles Lindbergh. Did not Mr. Ford have an autographed portrait of Hitler on his wall, and the pro-German/Nazis sentiments of Mr. Lindbergh are well documented. Justice may take some time, and the original Jewish owners, are long dead, but certianly their heirs must take some comfort in the eventual outcome.
Posted by: Donald Wolberg on April 11, 2009 12:07 PM
another comment
in spite of this faux pas the Hearst newspaper chain (Mr Hearst in charge the equivalent of Bill Gates control of being at the helm fully at Msoft) was the major force in publicizing events unfolding in Germany at actions being directed at the jews
While at the time , the Jews all loved Franklin D. Roosevelt, in spite of public actions , and now known non public actions , Mr Hearst ( in spite of his reputation he earned in history) went out his way in using his newspaper empire to help publicize the terrible events unfolding to help the jews out
Sort of like America and Mr. Obama now
Posted by: Mr. Hearst the real story on April 26, 2009 10:14 AM
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