Joint JID & EJA Press Release (FULL TEXT)

PRESS RELEASE

Ghent Creates a European First by Refusing to Return Proven Nazi-Looted Art

Brussels, November 25, 2025

The Jewish Information and Documentation Center (JID) and the European Jewish Association (EJA) express their deep indignation at the decision of the Museum of Fine Arts Ghent (MSK Gent) to refuse the restitution of Portrait of Bishop Triest (Gaspar de Crayer), despite the museum’s own acknowledgment that the painting is Nazi-looted art belonging to Jewish art dealer Samuel Hartveld.

A Shocking European First

 According to international art lawyer Hannes Hartung, this is the first case in Europe where a panel confirms Nazi spoliation yet still recommends not returning the artwork.

“No other European institution has ever taken such a position,” Hartung said.

Proven Spoliation

Archival records show that:

• Hartveld’s Antwerp gallery was placed under Nazi Verwaltung by NSDAP member Heinrich Kunst;

• his art library — one of Belgium’s most important — was seized in 29 crates by the Einsatzstab Reichsleiter Rosenberg;

• his stock of 66 paintings, including this work, was transferred to René Van de Broeck, a collaborator linked to DeVlag and Léon Degrelle.

Ghent Invents a Legal Fiction

The Ghent committee’s refusal is based on a “presumed compensation” — a concept with no evidence, no legal basis, and no precedent in any restitution framework.

Crucially, in this case there is not a single document suggesting that Samuel Hartveld or his family ever received any form of compensation whatsoever.

International standards (Washington Principles, Terezin Declaration) are clear: when looting is established, restitution is mandatory, regardless of any alleged later payments.

A Blow to the Reputation of Flanders and Belgium

 Other institutions — including Tate Britain and major Austrian bodies — have already restituted works with the same Hartveld provenance.

Ghent’s refusal isolates Flanders and risks portraying Belgium as a country unwilling to return clearly identified Nazi-looted art.

 “It is morally indefensible for a Belgian museum to inflict new injustice on a Jewish family who already suffered under Nazi persecution,” said Ralph Pais, Vice President of JID Belgium.

“This decision damages the reputation of Ghent, Flanders and Belgium. It signals that even proven Nazi-looted art is no longer safe for restitution.”

Joint Call for Government Intervention

 JID and EJA jointly urge the Flemish and federal authorities to:

• demand immediate clarification from the City of Ghent,

• reverse this unprecedented recommendation,

• and establish a national restitution commission, as exists in other European countries.

Conclusion

Hannes Hartung, counsel to the Hartveld heirs, states he is confident that legal action will eventually force restitution, but stresses that it is “shameful and unprecedented” that in Belgium, the courts appear to be the only remaining path to justice.

For press contact:

Jewish Information and Documentation Center (JID)

www.stopantisemitisme.be

[email protected]

Ralph Pais

Image: Anthony van Dyck, Portret van bisschop Antonius Triest, ca. 1627–1630. Museum voor Schone Kunsten Gent (MSK Gent). Public Domain. https://www.mskgent.be/collectie/1948-z.