Nazi's, Art & The University of Oklahoma
An interesting story coming out of the Southwest part of the United States. It involves a painting stolen by Nazi's during World War 2 and The University of Oklahoma.
If you haven't heard the story yet, you will soon. While doing research, I found more information from international sources than in the U.S.
It started during the occupation of France, by Germany. Besides taking Jews from their homes, they seized all valuables. This included an extensive amount of artwork.
This is the painting that's causing the controversy. It's "Shepherdess Bringing In Sheep", by French Impressionist Camille Pissaro. It was owned by Raoul Meyer, a Jewish businessman living in Paris.
Meyer survived the war and the painting turned up in Switzerland. In 1953, Meyer filed a suit trying to recover the painting. A Swiss court ruled against him saying that the statute of limitations had passed.
The painting eventually ended up in a New York City art gallery and was purchased by Norman, Oklahoma oilman Aaron Weitzenhoffer and his wife Clara, in 1956.
The Weitzenhoffer's had an extensive collection of art and when Clara died in 2000, she left 33 pieces to The Fred Jones Museum of Art, on the campus of The University of Oklahoma. The museum has long had a reputation as one of the leading art museums on any college campus. Included in the donation was the piece now in question.
Mr. Meyer's daughter, Leone is suing the University trying to regain the painting for her family. OU is resisting saying the matter was decided years ago by the Swiss court.
A representative from the art department says this has occasionally happened at other Universities with them being able to keep the work of art. She also added that being legally correct didn't make it morally right.
The timing of this is interesting. Next month brings the release of the film Monuments Men, which touches on the same subject...trying to recover stolen artifacts during the war.
My connection to the story is that I attended The University of Oklahoma. I was there in the 1970's and I still have a strong feeling for the place. I basically grew up there (ok..quit laughing now) and most of the people I consider my closest friends, I met there.
It will be interesting to see how this turns out. In the stories I've read, the comments overwhelmingly favor the family. We'll see if OU caves in to public opinion. I hope they do. It would be great to add an act like that to the schools reputation as well as maybe setting a precedent for when this happens again....and it will.