Austria Decides on Future of Klimt Masterpiece

Austria could lose one of its most treasured masterpieces.

Like thousands of works of art in Europe, Klimt's iconic Beethoven Frieze was plundered from its original owners by the Nazis. However, it was later returned to the family it was stolen from, only to be bought back by the state under questionable terms. So who does it belong to?

The Art Restitution Advisory Board “recommended unanimously… not to return the ‘Beethoven Frieze’ by Gustav Klimt to the heirs of Erich Lederer,” panel chair Clemens Jabloner said, referring to the original owner of the painting. Instead, they hope that the Art Nouveau masterpiece will remain in Vienna's Secession Building, a state gallery dedicated to the local name for the artistic movement, the Vienna Secession. However, Austria could still lose the piece if the country's cultural minister, who has the ultimate say, refuses to take their advice.

The “Beethoven Frieze”, a 34m long, 2m high piece weighing several tons which was created by Austrian artist Gustav Klimt, was confiscated by the Nazis from the Jewish family in 1938. After the end of World War II in 1945, it was returned to family heir Erich Lederer by Austria. However, Lederer wasn't allowed to export the piece, and was pressured to sell it to the state at a cut-rate price of approximately $750,000 in 1972.

The gallery hopes that Austria's culture minister will take the advice of the Advisory Board into consideration. "Until now all ministers have always followed the recommendations of the Advisory Board, and this will be the case with the Beethoven Frieze too," ministry spokeswoman Kerstin Hosa told AFP.