GOP strategist not surprised about shakeup in Mark Robinson’s campaign. Hear why
4 senior campaign officials for Mark Robinson step down in wake of CNN report
UK finance minister Reeves vows no austerity despite tough budget
Mexico's ruling party elects new leader to shape post-Lopez Obrador era
Fed adrenaline keeps pumping, PBOC inertia may drag
Apollo eyes $5 billion investment in Intel, Bloomberg News reports
White Sox lose 120th game to tie post-1900 record by the 1962 expansion New York Mets
Leaders at climate change meetings in New York warn of growing mistrust between nations
Thomas' triple-double leads Connecticut to win over Indiana and Caitlin Clark in WNBA playoff opener
NEW YORK, New York (WCBS) -- A work of art that Nazis stole from a man who was murdered in a concentration camp has been returned to the rightful owner's family.
Austrian artist Egon Schiele's 1918 drawing entitled "Seated Nude Woman, Front View" was on full display in New York City as the grateful family spoke about their plans for it Friday.
Nazis stole dozens of art pieces from Fritz Grünbaum, Manhattan DA says
The drawing, believed to be of Schiele's wife, belonged to Fritz Grünbaum, an Austrian-Jewish cabaret performer.
"This piece, along with more than 80 other drawings were stolen by the Nazis from Mr. Grünbaum before he was murdered in a concentration camp," Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said.
The drawing was eventually purchased by the Papanec family, who fled the Nazis and came to the U.S., but had no idea it was stolen.
"Helene and Ernst Papanec, who acquired this drawing, did so to really connect themselves to their Viennese roots, to their roots of Austrian expressionism and it was very important with them to really, to have this drawing in their home and I know they derived great pleasure from it," said Rocco Orlando, a Papanek family in-law.
Grünbaum's family has plans for the reacquired artwork
The Papanek family returned the drawing to Grünbaum's family.
"We, as his family, seek to carry forth his legacy in the Grünbaum-Fischer Foundation. This foundation uses the proceeds of the sales of works, including the one you have restituted today, to support young, wonderfully talented and underprivileged performing artists," said Paul Reif, one of Grünbaum's relatives.
Schiele's drawing is the 11th work of art returned to Grünbaum's family.
"Tracing history of this artwork gives us an important opportunity to acknowledge the terrible stain in our world's history of the horrific events of the Holocaust and honor the legacy of those who were murdered," said Bragg.
The Manhattan DA's antiquities trafficking unit said 1,000 more objects will be returned in the coming months.
