# Art Institute Returns Holocaust Painting to Lewenstein Family > Art Institute of Chicago returns 1913 Metzinger painting to Holocaust-looted family. - Title: Art Institute Returns Holocaust Painting to Lewenstein Family - Summary: Art Institute of Chicago returns 1913 Metzinger painting to Holocaust-looted family. Art Institute of Chicago returns 1913 Jean Metzinger painting to… - Keywords: art institute of chicago, jean metzinger, emmanuel lewenstein, nazi persecution, holocaust looted art, provenance research, lewenstein family, chicago museum, news, local, Art, Institute - Source: Chicago Sun-Times — https://chicago.suntimes.com/art/2026/09/22/art-institute-of-chicago-return-looted-holocaust-era-painting-metzinger-lewenstein - Published: 2026-09-22T19:03:24.036+00:00 - Read time: 1 min - Topics: art institute of chicago, jean metzinger, emmanuel lewenstein, nazi persecution, holocaust looted art, provenance research, lewenstein family, chicago museum, news, local ## Art Institute returns painting The Art Institute of Chicago will return the 1913 Cubist painting Woman with a Fan by Jean Metzinger to the Lewenstein family. > The Art Institute of Chicago, at 111 S. Michigan Ave., said Tuesday it will return the Cubist painting Woman with a Fan by French artist Jean Metzinger to the Lewenstein family ## Painting lost during Nazi era The 1913 painting was lost during a forced Nazi-era sale in the Netherlands amid World War II. > The oil painting from 1913 was lost during a forced Nazi-era sale in the Netherlands ## Historical gaps in record Museum’s provenance director Jacques Schuhmacher noted significant gaps in the painting’s historical record. > Schuhmacher said there were significant gaps in the painting’s historical record ## Painting resurfaces in 1950s The painting resurfaced on the Dutch art market in the 1950s and moved through Paris and New York galleries. > The work resurfaced on the Dutch art market in the 1950s, moved through galleries in Paris and New York City ## Acquired by Chicago museum The Art Institute acquired the painting in 1959 from Mr. and Mrs. Sigmund Kunstadter. > The Art Institute of Chicago acquired the painting in 1959 when Mr. and Mrs. Sigmund Kunstadter donated the work ## Infrared discovery Modern infrared imaging revealed a name written in faint pencil on the painting’s back: Paul Citroen. > Researchers discovered a name written in faint pencil on the back of the piece: Paul Citroen ## Paul Citroen connection Paul Citroen was a Dutch art dealer who sold the painting to Emmanuel Lewenstein in 1928. > Citroen was a Dutch art dealer in Berlin and the Netherlands who sold the work to art collector Emmanuel Lewenstein ## Nazi persecution confirmed The Lewensteins were Jewish and persecuted by Nazis after 1940 Netherlands occupation. > The Lewensteins were Jewish. They were persecuted because they were Jewish ## Historical verification Researchers verified the painting’s dimensions using 1940 auction catalog and Dutch newspaper article. > Researchers were able to verify the exact dimensions of the Metzinger painting using 1940 auction catalog and Dutch newspaper article ## Restitution decision The Art Institute decided to return the painting to the Lewenstein heirs after verification. > The decision was made to restitute the painting to the Lewenstein heirs ## Restitution significance Restitution returns ownership and restores family agency over the artwork. > It’s not just about transferring ownership back to a family. It’s also about restoring the agency to the family to do with this painting what they think is appropriate ## Museum confirms painting removal Museum spokesperson Megan Michienzi confirmed the painting is no longer on view. > Megan Michienzi, spokesperson for the Art Institute of Chicago, confirmed that the Metz: the Metzinger painting is no longer on view at the museum ## Museum’s provenance focus The Art Institute prioritizes provenance research and returns items when new information suggests restitution. > The Art Institute has prioritized provenance research, and we are happy to return items when we learn new information that suggests they should go back ## Holocaust restitution impact This restitution follows the Art Institute’s 2024 provenance research department and 2023 seizure of Schiele painting. > The Art Institute operates one of the largest provenance research departments in the country. In 2023, authorities officially approved the seizure of the Schiele painting from the museum ## Key takeaway Art Institute of Chicago returns 1913 Jean Metzinger painting to Lewenstein family after Nazi persecution during WWII.