Austria returns Klimt painting taken during Holocaust
Linz Mayor Franz Dobusch has recommended the painting of a woman, believed to be worth around 15 million euros, be transferred from the city's Lentos art gallery to the descendants of Aranka Munk.
It cited the findings of an independent expert, Sophie Lillie, who confirmed the painting had been seized from Mrs Munk by the Nazis after she was deported to a concentration camp where she died in 1941.
The administrative commission of Linz museums and the city council were expected to rubber stamp the decision by June.
Vienna lawyer Alfred Noll applied in 2007 for the return of the 1911 painting of Mrs Munk's daughter Ria, which made its way into Linz's collection from an art dealer after the Second World War.
The legal heir, who wished to remain anonymous, praised Monday's decision through Mr Noll and thanked the Linz authorities.
"Although more than 60 years have gone by, the return of this family portrait is profoundly joyful. This shows Linz has become aware of its historical ... responsibility," the heir said in a statement...
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It cited the findings of an independent expert, Sophie Lillie, who confirmed the painting had been seized from Mrs Munk by the Nazis after she was deported to a concentration camp where she died in 1941.
The administrative commission of Linz museums and the city council were expected to rubber stamp the decision by June.
Vienna lawyer Alfred Noll applied in 2007 for the return of the 1911 painting of Mrs Munk's daughter Ria, which made its way into Linz's collection from an art dealer after the Second World War.
The legal heir, who wished to remain anonymous, praised Monday's decision through Mr Noll and thanked the Linz authorities.
"Although more than 60 years have gone by, the return of this family portrait is profoundly joyful. This shows Linz has become aware of its historical ... responsibility," the heir said in a statement...