New York Museums Must Now Identify Which Items Were Pilfered By Nazis

Recently signed legislation by Governor Kathy Hochul (D) includes a condition that requires all New York museums to disclose which pieces of art were stolen during the Nazi era in Europe.

New York State Senate Bill S117A says that all applicable museums must “display a placard or other signage acknowledging” the histories of the artworks. Between 1933 and 1945, the Nazi regime looted 600,000 works of art, per archival testimony. Many of the said works came from Jewish communities.

ArtNews reported that current New York law requires that art created before 1945 and changed ownership in Europe during the Nazi era must be accounted for in the Art Loss Register database.

Per a statement, the larger legislation package “will help ensure schools are providing high-quality Holocaust education, require museums to acknowledge art stolen by the Nazi regime, and require the New York State Department of Financial Services to publish a list of financial institutions that voluntarily waive fees for Holocaust reparation payments.”

“As New Yorkers, we are united in our solemn commitment to Holocaust survivors: We will never forget,” Hochul said. “These are individuals who have endured unspeakable tragedy but nonetheless have persevered to build lives of meaning and purpose right here in New York. We owe it to them, their families, and the six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust to honor their memories and ensure future generations understand the horrors of this era.”