2-738-045 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Plate: Diana and Acteon, 1522. Alfred Pringsheim was a German Jewish collector. During Kristallnacht, in November 1938, the SS seized Pringsheim's maiolica collection from his home in Munich. It was stored in the annex to the Bayerishches National Museum, Munich. In March 1939, the German Ministry of Trade authorized export of Pringsheim's maiolica collection to London for auction at Sotheby's, provided that 80% of the proceeds up to £20,000 and 70% of the remainder be paid to the German Gold Discount Bank in foreign currency. Pringsheim was to receive the remaining proceeds. In exchange, Pringsheim and his wife were allowed to emigrate to Switzerland. After the war, the Pringsheim heirs received restitution of the sale proceeds paid to the Reichsbank.