From Fortune:

New York prosecutors recover two Nazi-stolen artworks — surrended by museums in Pittsburgh and Ohio — by Austrian expressionist Egon Schiele. The artworks are valued around $2.5 million and belonged to Holocaust victim Fritz Grünbaum. But the battle to return the third stolen work continues, still seized by a Chicago museum.

Family of Fritz Grünbaum fights in court for the recovery of “Russian War Prisoner” — valued at $2.5 million — claimed by the Art Institute of Chicago. Ten works have been recovered, but Manhattan prosecutors fight for the remaining art as part of the Holocaust Expropriated Recovery Act, passed by Congress.

Fritz Grünbaum — a Holocaust victim and art collector — was mocked by the Nazis. Forced by Nazi officials to sign away his art after being captured, an estimated 80 Schiele works were sold to fund the Nazi war effort. After reappearing in 1956, they were part of a shady art deal and sold in New York galleries.

Leaders at museums in Pittsburgh and Ohio surrender two seized artworks, showing support for justice and reparation. They “did the right thing,” says Timothy Reif — Grünbaum’s great-grandnephew and a federal judge in New York City. A noticeable win, recognized as a victory for justice and the memory of Fritz Grünbaum.

A New York judge ruled in 2018 that two works by Schiele be turned over to Grünbaum’s heirs under the Holocaust Expropriated Recovery Act. 2010 Art Institute of Chicago ruling disputed the ownership of ‘Russian War Prisoner,’ but federal judge dismissed a separate civil court case against the artwork — arguing missed lawsuit deadline under the same act.



Read more: Nazi theft: Holocaust victim’s estate returned Egon Schiele paintings but Chicago Art Institute resists