Hanneh Arendt in Wiesbaden: The Sorting of Looted Art 1950–1955

My talk will shed light on an important mission taken by two major figures in 20th century Jewish history: the political philosopher Hannah Arendt (1906-1975) and the Museum director and Judaica expert Mordechai Narkiss (1898-1957). Both these scholars were involved in projects of rescuing Judaica artifacts and works of art, looted from Jewish communities and collectors by the Nazi regime and gathered in American Army collecting points in post-World War II Germany. Their mission was handed to them by the organization "Jewish Cultural Reconstruction" and took place immediately after the Holocaust. It was to sort out and ship works of art and Judaica artifacts remained at the Wiesbaden Central Collecting Point which was manned by the American Army. A team, headed by Arendt, together with Mordechai Narkiss, took over this task mostly out of fear that artworks and ritual objects left after the closing of the American depots in 1950 will fall back into German hands.

By using primary sources such as personal correspondence, trip reports and various documentation I will discuss the personalities of the Hanna Arendt and Mordechai Narkiss. The lecture will highlight the restitution efforts carried by Arendt and Narcisse and will trace the background of the organization which recruited them.