British Museum allowed to return paintings seized by Nazis

[Tana]

the British Museum allowed to return paintings seized by Nazis.
In the UK passed a law under which museums have the right to return Nazi-confiscated art descendants of their rightful owners. Since 2000, when Britain established the Commission for the return of property in British museums have found nine such works.

Museums, however, could not return to their owners, because it was prohibited by law. Return the painting to date, are entitled only museums in Wales and Northern Ireland, British and Scottish museums instead pay compensation to the heirs of owners. For example, in 2001, Tate had paid 125 thousand pounds of the owners of paintings by Jan Griffira, and in 2006 the British Museum compensated for 175 thousand pounds to the heirs of former owners of a collection of paintings by old masters, located in the museum, reports Lenta.ru.

Culture Minister Margaret Hodge welcomed the adoption law, which is supported by all political parties of the country. Co-Chair of the European Commission for the Restitution of art objects Anne Webber for his part called the decision by the British authorities "a great step forward".

The museums of England and Scotland kept at least 20 paintings, confiscated by the Nazis from their rightful owners. Among them is mentioned, in particular, "Cupid, complaining to Venus" by Lucas Cranach the Elder - painting once formed part of Hitler's personal collection, now stored in the National Gallery

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