MoMA in Battle over Painting Seized by Nazis

NPR

Published December 27, 2004 at 12:00 AM EST

The Museum of Modern Art is opposing a Jewish family and the U.S. government over a painting seized by the Nazis in 1939. MOMA wants the work by Austrian painter Egon Schiele sent back to the Austrian foundation that lent it for a show. But under U.S. law, "Portrait of Wally" could be stolen property that should be returned to the family. David D'Arcy reports.

Corrected: January 27, 2005 at 8:13 PM EST

The government, not the museum, has custody of the artwork. The museum says it took no position on the question of the painting's ownership. NPR failed to give the museum a chance to answer allegations about its motivations and actions.

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