WWII-looted artworks return to Poland

Four historic works of art, lost during World War II, have been formally returned to museums and libraries in Poznań, a city in western Poland.

Polish Culture Minister Marta Cienkowska said the recovery of art looted during World War Two and stolen in later decades is vital to restoring Poland’s cultural identity and historical memory.

Photo: PAP/Jakub Kaczmarczyk

The National Museum in Poznań received two paintings by Polish artist Michał Gorstkin Wywiórski: Early Spring and Self-portrait in the open air.

A Flemish tapestry from the late 17th century, Garden Scene, was returned to Gołuchów Castle, while an 18th-century rare book by Johann Albrecht Gesner went back to the University Library in Poznań.

Culture Minister Marta Cienkowska said recovering looted art remains one of her ministry’s top priorities.

The politician wrote on social media: “The restitution of cultural property, both lost during World War II and stolen after 1945, is one of the most important tasks of the Ministry of Culture. It is an expression of our concern for identity. By rebuilding dispersed collections, we restore memory.”

Restytucja dóbr kultury, zarówno utraconych w wyniku II wojny światowej, jak i skradzionych po 1945 r., to jedno z najważniejszych zadań Ministerstwa Kultury i Dziedzictwa Narodowego. To wyraz troski o naszą tożsamość. Bo odbudowując rozproszone zbiory polskich kolekcji,… pic.twitter.com/MYoHSEKTcl

— Marta Cienkowska (@MartaCienkowska) September 25, 2025

So far, more than 800 objects have been recovered worldwide, with another 190 still undergoing restitution procedures.

Marta Cienkowska (photo: PAP/Jakub Kaczmarczyk)

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Source: IAR/PAP/X/@MartaCienkowska