The Louvre Welcomes Back Stolen Treasures, Thanks to Jewish Heirs

In a poignant moment, the Louvre Museum has returned two 17th-century paintings to the descendants of their original owner, Mathilde Javal, after being looted by Nazis during World War II. The paintings Floris van Schooten’s Still-Life with Ham and Peter Binoit’s Food, Fruit and Glass on a Table were part of the Louvre’s collection for decades. Still, their rightful ownership was only recently confirmed through extensive research.

The story highlights the ongoing efforts to rectify the injustices of the past. The Louvre holds 1,610 works in its National Museum Recuperation programme, including 791 paintings, waiting to be reunited with their rightful owners. The return of these paintings is a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving cultural heritage and honoring the memories of those who suffered during the war.

Read more about this remarkable story of restitution and remembrance and the Louvre’s commitment to transmitting memory and taking action.