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Ghent museum refuses return of Nazi-looted painting

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Beatrice von Braunschweig
December 23, 2025

The heirs of a Jewish art dealer are demanding the return a 17th-century painting that they say was seized in Nazi-occupied Belgium.

A 17th‑century portrait in Ghent is at the center of a restitution dispute after research confirmed it was looted from Jewish art dealer Samuel Hartveld during the Nazi occupation. His heirs say they were never compensated, while Belgium still lacks a clear framework for returning Nazi‑stolen art. The case highlights growing pressure on the country to investigate its museum collections and address restitution claims.

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