A Survey of World War II-Era Provenance Research in American Art Museums

Abstract

The results of a national survey of American art museums concerning the implementation of World War II-era provenance research are presented. After outlining the reasons why this research is important to the museum community, background information on the issue of World War II-era looted art is reviewed. The survey process and the twelve questions that were asked in the anonymous survey are then outlined. The results of the survey are then presented and the implica tions of this research are discussed. Specifically, 80% of responding museums reported that one or two people were conducting prove nance research, and 55% did not yet have policy in place. Eighty-seven percent of museums were not receiving outside funding, and more than 75% indicated that they were encountering difficulties. Three central challenges are identified-time, fu nding, and training. Despite these chal lenges, results indicate that the museum community consid ers World War II-era provenance research an important issue.

More Than “A Room of Antiquities” at the Global Museum: Constructing New Meanings Through the Provenance Research of an Ancient Egyptian Legacy Collection

“… 7. See Meagan Miller and Edward M. Luby, “A Survey of World War II-Era Provenance Research in American Art Museums,” Collections: A Journal for Museum and Archives Professionals , 1, no. 4 (2004): 365–80; Nancy H. Yeide, The AAM Guide to Provenance Research (Washington, D.C.: American Association of Museums, 2001); International Provenance Research Colloquium, and American Association of Museums, Vitalizing Memory: International Perspectives on Provenance Research (Washington, D.C.: American Association of Museums, 2005). …”