The collection Lubomierski in Lemberg contained among others 31 valuable hand drawings by Albrecht Duerer. An offer made in the spring of 1940 by a special commissioner through the foreign office to the Russian government, to exchange these drawings by Duerer for equally valuable Russian works of arts and literary monument, was refused. On the day of the capture of Lemberg, the special commissioner, Dr. Muehlmann and the museum director Dr. Kudlich went there by order of the Reichmarshal, to conduct a search for the hand drawings. The investigation encountered considerable difficulties, because the Russians hand reorganized the system of museums in Lemberg and because the collection Lubomierski did not exist any more.
In the course of further investigations Prof. Gebarowicz of the Bawarowski-museum, who had publicized the drawings in the past, was thoroughly interrogated also. Finally he explained that he kept the drawings carefully hidden from the Russians in the Bawarowski-museum. On demand, he also brought them out from concealment.
After thorough examination, the sequestration was announced, and a regular receipt was issued.
The special commissioner has turned over these hand drawings in July 1941 to the Reichmarshal in person, who brought them to the Fuehrer into the headquarters, where they still are. By specific order of the Fuehrer, they remain temporarily in his possession.
The following single drawings are affected, which were entered in the supplement of the catalogue (31 drawings on 23 cartons):
Carton I 1. Self portraitOn the desire of the Governor General, a number of 2nd and 3rd class art objects was made available to him for exhibition and decorative purposes,-Reference Paragraph 141 and 142.-The architect Franz Koettgen in Krakau was charged with the execution of this mission, especially the furnishing of Castle Kressendorf and the castle in Krakau. A list was made by the special commissioner, in which all objects, put at the disposal of architect Koettgen, were exactly listed in detail.
During the conference with the architect Koettgen, on 30 July 1942, the latter promised, to continue the inventory, already started by him, more rapidly, and to conclude by the end of 1942 at the latest. he furthermore said he was willing, to provide the special commissioner after the completion of the inventories with a directory of the location of the individual objects. The completeness of the transferred art objects and their careful storing can only be examined after the completion of the inventories.
A copy of the above mentioned lists on the object, put at the disposal of Goettgen is added to the report as enclosure Nr. 8
[Page 80]Of the objects, taken from the depot of the special commissioner in the state library in Krakau as of 1 Aug 1942, the following were inspected:
I. In Berlin in the depot of the special Commissioner and in the safe of the German Bank:
East German Master 1430 "Picture of the Vesper" ........ Catalogue No 4|
Source: Nazi Conspiracy and Aggression Volume IV Office of the United States Chief Counsel for Prosecution of Axis Criminality Washington, DC : United States Government Printing Office, 1946 |