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Zurich Foundation Returns Nazi-Looted Hodler Painting to Heirs

5/4/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The Zurich SKKG Foundation will return Hodler’s “Lake Thun with Blüemlisalp and Niesen” to Martha Nathan’s heirs.
An independent commission ruled the painting was Nazi-looted.
Research shows Nathan sold the work in 1941 to satisfy residence-permit demands after Nazi persecution.
The restitution deal requires a public publication about Nathan’s life and will feature the painting in Hamburg’s “Jewish Collectors in Germany” exhibition from September.

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Story summary

The Zurich SKKG Foundation will return Hodler’s “Lake Thun with Blüemlisalp and Niesen” to Martha Nathan’s heirs.
An independent commission ruled the painting was Nazi-looted.
Research shows Nathan sold the work in 1941 to satisfy residence-permit demands after Nazi persecution.
The restitution deal requires a public publication about Nathan’s life and will feature the painting in Hamburg’s “Jewish Collectors in Germany” exhibition from September.