Publication Date
Spring 2025
Abstract
This paper examines the politics of provenance, focusing on the historical and ethical implications of Nazi-era art looting and the role of Switzerland in laundering looted artworks. By analyzing the actions of the Einsatzstab Reichsleiter Rosenberg (ERR), the complicity of European art dealers, and the postwar silence surrounding collections like that of Emil Bührle, the study argues that provenance is not merely a bureaucratic tool but a political archive. In particular, it explores how Swiss neutrality and secrecy facilitated the trade and concealment of stolen art, and how contemporary institutions struggle with accountability and transparency. Through historical records, museum exhibitions, and firsthand observations, the paper demonstrates that provenance is central to questions of justice, memory, and institutional responsibility.
Disciplines
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Recommended Citation
Simpson, Margaret, "Beautiful Pawns: The Politics of Art Provenance" (2025). Switzerland: International Studies and Multilateral Diplomacy. 8.
https://digitalcollections.sit.edu/szg2/8