New claim on Nazi-looted Matisse painting surfaces

A second proclaimed owner comes forward for famed ‘Sitting Woman,’ temporarily delaying its planned return to heirs

By AP 7 April 2014, 1:45 pm

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A detail from the painting 'Sitzende Frau' ('Sitting Woman' or 'Femme Assise'), by Henri Matisse, also part of Gurlitt's collection. (photo credit: AP/Staatsanwaltschaft Augsburg)

BERLIN — A second person has come forward with a claim on a painting found among a trove of artworks in the Munich home of a reclusive collector, including works believed looted from Jewish owners by the Nazis.

The new claim on Henri Matisse’s “Femme Assise” (also known as “Sitting Woman” or “Sitzende Frau”) will at least temporarily delay its planned return to the heirs of a deceased Paris-based art collector.

Munich collector Cornelius Gurlitt’s attorney Christoph Edel said Monday he is legally obligated to investigate the new claim before the painting can be handed over. He did not identify the new claimant.

Authorities found some 1,400 works at Gurlitt’s home two years ago and have been investigating their provenance. Gurlitt has told his attorney to return all works found to be Nazi-looted art to their Jewish owners or heirs.