Nazi-Art Hoarder's 2nd Trove Even More 'Significant'

If you thought the $1.3 billion in art discovered in 2012 in Cornelius Gurlitt's Munich apartment was impressive, this week's find may top it. Among the 60 or so artworks found in the Austrian home of Gurlitt—son of Nazi-approved art dealer Hildebrand Gurlitt—are pieces from Monet, Renoir, Manet, and others, "of more significance" than the first trove, Gurlitt's lawyer tells the BBC. "They are very prominent works" that include "a wonderful Seine scene by Pissarro, a wonderful bridge picture by Monet, and a sailing boat sea scape by Manet," Hannes Hartung says.

Gurlitt's rep further adds, the "objects are largely oil (paintings), on average of greater value than those discovered in Munich." A Jewish group yesterday clamored to have the works "made public," so any that might have been stolen under Nazi persecution could be identified, the AFP notes. "The victims of the Holocaust and their heirs have a right to that," the Claims Conference said—but so far Gurlitt's people aren't on board. They maintain that a cursory review indicated the works weren't looted. Further, "it's a private collection," his rep notes. "If one were to follow that logic, all the collections in Germany would have to be published." (More art stories.)