Alexander Lewin

Alexander Lewin (August 18, 1879 in Vienna – 1942 in Switzerland) was a German Jewish entrepreneur and art collector who was persecuted and plundered by the Nazis.[1]

Early life
Cohn's villa in Guben, residence of the Lewin family until 1938
Share in Berlin-Gubener Hutfabrik AG from May 1928 with the signature of board member Alexander Lewin

Alexander Lewin, who was born in Vienna, studied law and obtained a doctorate. He joined the family business, the Berlin-Gubener Hutfabrik AG, vorm. A. Cohn, a. His father Hermann Lewin and his uncle Apelius Cohn founded their first hat factory in Berlin in 1859, to which a branch in Guben was added in 1876. After the death of his father Hermann Lewin in 1920, Alexander Lewin took over the management of the company as general director and board member.[2] By 1922 the company was the largest hat manufacturer in Germany by 1922, employing more than 4,000 people in 1928.

Lewin also served as honorary consul for Portugal and member of the foreign trade committee of the Reich Association of German Industry. From1928 he was President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry for Lower Lusatia in Cottbus.[3]

Nazi persecution

After the National Socialists came to power in 1933, the Lewin family was persecuted because of its Jewish origins. Despite being unanimously re-elected on March 6, 1933 chairman of the Cottbus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Lewin had to give up this post a month later due to pressure from the Nazis. In September 1938 he resigned from his position on the board of the Berlin-Gubener Hutfabrik AG.[4][5] In March 1939, all of his assets in Germany were blocked and on August 4, 1941, the Reich Minister of the Interior revoked his German citizenship and his property was confiscated.[6] Alexander Lewin died as a refugee in Switzerland in 1942 at the age of 63.

Art collection

Alexander Lewin built an important art collection, which included 19th century German art and works of French Impressionism and Post-Impressionism.[7] Lewin was forced to leave them behind in Guben to be confiscated by Nazi authorities.[8] Two artworks were transferred to the collection of Hitler's planned Führermuseum in Linz and came into the possession of the Federal Republic of Germany after the war.

Artwork from Lewin's collection ended up in different museums and private collections throughout the world. Some examples of where they ended up (and which specific artworks) include:

  • Édouard Manet:Alice Legouvé im Lehnstuhl, um 1875
    Édouard Manet:
    Alice Legouvé im Lehnstuhl, um 1875
  • Claude Monet: Les Bords de la Zaan, 1871
    Claude Monet:
    Les Bords de la Zaan, 1871
  • Vincent van Gogh: Selbstbildnis, 1887/88
    Vincent van Gogh:
    Selbstbildnis, 1887/88
  • Paul Cézanne:Badende Frauen, um 1900
    Paul Cézanne:
    Badende Frauen, um 1900
  • Camille Pissarro:L’Église Saint-Jacques à Dieppe, soleil, matin, 1901
    Camille Pissarro:
    L’Église Saint-Jacques à Dieppe, soleil, matin, 1901
  • Wilhelm Leibl:Bauernmädchen, 1897
    Wilhelm Leibl:
    Bauernmädchen, 1897

Claims for restitution

Several of Lewin's artworks were restituted to his heirs. In 2009, Peasant Girl Without a Hat by artist Wilhelm Leibl was restituted to the Lewin heirs.[15][16] Farmer's Girl (also Farmer's Girl without a Hat with a White Scarf) by Wilhelm Leibl had been on permanent loan to the Kunsthalle Bremen, and the painting Two Cows in the Pasture under Pollarded Willows by Heinrich von Zügel, had been in the possession of Wörth am Rhein.[17]

Literature
  • Thomas Flemming: Zwischen Historie und Herausforderung. Die IHK Cottbus 1851–2001. Industrie- und Handelskammer Cottbus, Cottbus 2001, ISBN 3-00-008410-X.
  • Esther Tisa Francini, Anja Heuß, Georg Kreis: Fluchtgut – Raubgut. Der Transfer von Kulturgütern in und über die Schweiz 1933−1945 und die Frage der Restitution. (= Veröffentlichungen der Unabhängigen Expertenkommission Schweiz – Zweiter Weltkrieg, Band 1.) Chronos, Zürich 2001, ISBN 3-0340-0601-2.
  • Hans Jucker, Theodor Müller, Eduard Hüttinger: Sammlung Emil G. Bührle. Kunsthaus Zürich, Zürich 1958.
  • Chapeau, Das Westalgäu behütet die Welt, Die Geschichte der Hutprodukrion in Lindenberg und Umgebung 9. März 2015 von Georg Grübel (Author), Klaus Gietinger (Author), Manfred Röhrl (Author)

See also

Aryanization

List of Claims for Restitution of Nazi-looted Art

References
  1. "Recommendation of the Advisory Commission for the Return of Cultural Property Seized as a Result of Nazi Persecution" (PDF).
  2. "BADV - Provenienzdokumentation - Zwei Kühe auf der Weide unter Kopfweiden". 2015-09-23. Archived from the original on 2015-09-23. Retrieved 2021-04-14. Dr. Alexander Lewin war Generaldirektor und Vorstandsmitglied der Berlin-Gubener Hutfabrik AG. Nach dem sogenannten Nürnberger Rassegesetzen galt er als „Mischling ersten Grades" und war damit im vollem Umfange der Nationalsozialistischen Verfolgungsgesetzgebung ausgesetzt. Einem vertraulichen Aktenvermerk der Devisenstelle des Oberfinanzpräsidenten Brandenburg vom 24.09.1938 kann entnommen werden, dass sich Dr. Lewin zu diesem Zeitpunkt bereits im Ausland befand. Mit Erlass einer Sicherungsanordnung vom 10.03.1939 wurde Dr. Lewin untersagt, über sein Vermögen zu verfügen. Diese Sicherungsanordnung wurde u.a. auch an die Niederlausitzer Bank weitergeleitet.
  3. Redaktion (11 July 2014). "Chronik zur Regionalgeschichte als E-Book - 160 Jahre IHK Cottbus - Niederlausitz Aktuell". Niederlausitz Aktuell - Regional - Lokal - Aktuell (in German). Retrieved 2021-04-14.
  4. "Recommendation of the Advisory Commission on the Return of Cultural Property Seized As" (PDF). In summer 1938, Dr Lewin emigrated to Switzerland as a result of persecution, having been identified as a so-called 'Jewish Mischling (half-breed) of the first degree'. At the beginning of September 1938, Dr Lewin left the Board of Management at Berlin-Gubener Hutfabrik AG and in early March 1939, he gave notification that he would not be returning to Germany, which led to him being denied access to his entire estate as a result of a so-called 'security order' issued on 10th March 1939. On 4th August 1941, the German Reichsminister of the Interior deprived Dr Lewin of his German citizenship. His property was seized from him
  5. "Berlin-Gubener Hutfabrik". 23 August 2009.
  6. "Recommendation of the Advisory Commission for the Return of Cultural Property Seized as a Result of Nazi Persecution" (PDF). In summer 1938, Dr Lewin emigrated to Switzerland as a result of persecution, having been identified as a so-called 'Jewish Mischling (half-breed) of the first degree'. At the beginning of September 1938, Dr Lewin left the Board of Management at Berlin-Gubener Hutfabrik AG and in early March 1939, he gave notification that he would not be returning to Germany, which led to him being denied access to hisentire estate as a result of a so-called 'security order' issued on 10th March 1939. On 4th August 1941, the German Reichsminister of the Interior deprived Dr Lewin of his German citizenship. His property was seized from him
  7. Baier, Uta (2009-01-30). "Deutschland verliert das "Bauernmädchen"". DIE WELT. Retrieved 2021-04-14. In dieser Woche entschied die Kommission immerhin über ihren vierten Fall und empfahl der Bundesregierung, ein Bild aus ihrem Besitz an die Erben des Gubener Hutfabrikanten Alexander Lewin zurückzugeben. Der Jurist Lewin, 1879 in Wien geboren, war Vorstandstandsvorsitzender der Berlin-Gubener-Hutfabriken, Honorarkonsul Portugals, Jude und Besitzer einer Kunstsammlung mit vielen Impressionisten und deutscher Kunst des 19. Jahrhunderts. In Händlerkreisen ist Lewin bis heute bekannt, denn vor allem seine Impressionistensammlung war bedeutend. 1938 reiste er in die Schweiz und blieb. Seine impressionistischen Werke konnte er zuvor dorthin bringen, andere Bilder musste er in Guben lassen
  8. "Altlasten im Neubau - Contamination in the new building". www.lootedart.com. Tagesanzeiger. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
  9. "Altlasten im Neubau". Tages-Anzeiger (in German). ISSN 1422-9994. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2021-04-14. 11. Vincent van Gogh: «Selbstbildnis» Offene Fragen auch beim Selbstbildnis von Van Gogh aus dem Jahr 1887, das dem deutsch-jüdischen Hutfabrikanten Alexander Lewin von 1930 bis 1942, also bis zu seinem Tod in Monte Carlo, gehört hatte. Lewin, dessen Vermögen von den Nazis konfisziert wurde, emigrierte 1938 in die Schweiz. Während er seine französische Kunst mitnehmen konnte und an verschiedenen Orten deponierte, wurde zum Beispiel sein Bauernmädchen von Wilhelm Leibl für Hitlers Linzer Museumsprojekt auserkoren. Die Limbach-Kommission sah darin einen Fall von «NS-verfolgungsbedingtem Verlust» und empfahl dem Kunstmuseum Bremen die Restitution. Nach Lewins Tod verblieben mindestens acht wichtige Bilder von 1942 bis 1945 bei seiner neuen Lebenspartnerin, Gräfin Hedwig Bopp von Oberstadt, bevor die Bilder, inklusive des Selbstbildnisses von Van Gogh, im August 1945 durch die Vermittlung von Walter Feilchenfeldt Senior in die Sammlung Bührle gelangten. Davon ging nur der Van Gogh 1960 in die Stiftung über. Walter Feilchenfeldt junior sah sich 2008 veranlasst, der Stiftung Bührle eine Briefkopie von Lewins Tochter Alice J. Kurz zukommen zu lassen, in der sie im Januar 1948 von Hastings-on-Hudson aus Walter Feilchenfeldt senior berichtete, ihr Vater habe offenbar kein Testament hinterlassen. «Ausserdem scheint es mir, als ob die in der Liste als Schenkung an Gräfin Bopp aufgeführten Bilder bereits in ihrem Besitz sind.» Es wäre aufschlussreich, wenn man die Originaldokumente einsehen könnte.
  10. "Smoker and Absinth Drinker · Honoré Daumier · Stiftung Sammlung E.G. Bührle". www.buehrle.ch. Retrieved 2021-04-14. Dr. Alexander Lewin Guben & Monte Carlo • by 1938–[d.] 1942 Honderd Jaar Fransche Kunst, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam 1938, no. 86; as the paintings lender is given: Paul Cassirer, Amsterdam. The painting entered the Amsterdamsche Kunsthandel Paul Cassirer & Co. N.V., Amsterdam, for deposit on 17 September 1938; as its owner, «A. Lewin» was identified in the gallery's inventory book. It was transferred subsequently to the Kunstmuseum St. Gall on 27 October 1938, AStEGB, Letter from Walter Feilchenfeldt, Zurich, to the Foundation E.G. Bührle Collection, 10 June 2008, quoting the inventory book of Amsterdamsche Kunsthandel Paul Cassirer & Co. N.V., Amsterdam, entry no. 77 of 17-9- 1938, in the hand-writing of Dr. Helmut Lütjens, manager of Cassirer's Amsterdam branch. 5Mrs. Alice J. Kurz Hastings-on-Hudson (N.Y.) • 1942–1947 Daughter of the above, by inheritance; the painting had remained on deposit at the Kunstmuseum St. Gall, from 1938 until at least 1947, Letter as above, n. (4). Dr. Walter Feilchenfeldt Zurich • 1947/48 Received from the above, as a fee for taking care of the paintings of her late father during the war years; Dr. Walter Feilchenfeldt was asking a fee of CHF 60.000 (including interests) and valued the painting as equivalent to this amount, Letter as above, n. (4), quoting a letter from Dr. Walter Feilchenfeldt, Zurich, to Alice Kurz, 5 August 1946; the painting finally entered into Feilchenfeldt's possession ca. October 1947, Letter as above, n. (4), quoting a letter of Marianne Feilchenfeldt, Zurich, to Grete Ring, London, 8 October 1947: «Er [WF] ist jetzt im Vollbesitz […] der Fumeurs, die ihm völlig gratis zugebilligt wurden!» 7Dr. Fritz Nathan St. Gall • 1947/48 AStEGB, Entry Book I, 15 February 1948 8Emil Bührle Zurich • 15 February 1948 Acquired from the above, Entry Book as above, n. (7). As was the case for other pictures in the Bührle collection, Feilchenfeldt and Nathan often were working closely together when approaching Emil Bührle in the years until 1948. Whilst having been granted immigration to Switzerland at the outbreak of the war, Feilchenfeldt was denied a work permit and could, therefore, not act officially as an art dealer. Contrary to Feilchenfeldt, Fritz Nathan, formerly established as an art dealer in Munich, lived in Switzerland since 1936 and had obtained a work permit. As in other cases, the sale of an artwork from Feilchenfeldt to a Swiss collector passed via Nathan, without any written documents implicating Feilchenfeldt as a partner of the transaction, AStEGB, Letter from Walter Feilchenfeldt, Zurich, to Foundation E.G. Bührle Collection, 24 February 2008.
  11. "Self-Portrait · Vincent van Gogh · Stiftung Sammlung E.G. Bührle". www.buehrle.ch. Retrieved 2021-04-14. Alexander Lewin Guben by 1930 • Monte Carlo until [d.] 1942 Vincent van Gogh en zijn tijdgenooten, (exh. cat.) Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam 1930, no. 34. The painting entered the Amsterdamsche Kunsthandel Paul Cassirer & Co. N.V., Amsterdam, for deposit and was sent to the warehouse of Véron-Grauer, Geneva, on 18 March 1940, AStEGB, Letter from Walter Feilchenfeldt, Zurich, to the Foundation E.G. Bührle Collection, 10 June 2008, quoting the inventory book of Amsterdamsche Kunsthandel Paul Cassirer & Co. N.V., Amsterdam, «Einlieferung A. Lewin», entry no. 67, «Van Gogh, Selbstportrait». 5Gräfin Hedwig Bopp von Oberstadt, née Salomon1942–1945 Received from the above as a gift, as confirmed after Lewin's death by his daughter, Mrs. Alice J. Kurz, AStEGB, Letter as above, n. (4), accompanied by a copy of Letter from Mrs. Alice J. Kurz, Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y., to Dr. Walter Feilchenfeldt, Zurich, 19 January 1948: «Da ein Testament meines Vaters nicht existiert […] konnte natuerlich Grafin Bopp auch nicht in einem Testament bedacht werden. Ich habe den Eindruck, dass sie in den letzten Jahren viel fuer meinen Vater getan hat und dass sie deshalb vom Nachlass meines Vaters etwas haben sollte. […] Ausserdem scheint es mir, als ob die in der Liste als Schenkung an Graefin Bopp aufgefuehrten Bilder bereits in ihrem Besitz sind." Attached to the letter is the transcription of a list of Lewin's paintings and their current whereabouts, compiled by Hedwig Bopp and containing a section "Liste de tableaux m'apartenant [!] par donation», which specifies 13 paintings, including «Van Gogh, Portrait de lui meme [!]». 6Emil Bührle Zurich • 3 August 1945 until [d.] 28 November 1956 Acquired from the above for CHF 75.000, AStEGB, Inventory Card van Gogh, Self-Portrait, and File with references to provenance, publications, and custom stamps of 8 paintings, which Bührle all acquired from Gräfin Hedwig Bopp von Oberstadt in August 1945 (Cézanne, R.460; Manet, R-W.242; Monet, W.174; Monet, W.327; Monet, W.1241?; Renoir, D.187; Renoir, Petit nu; except for the van Gogh, none of them today in the Foundation E.G. Bührle Collection); all 8 paintings appear also in the above quoted list, n. (5); AStEGB, Letter of Maître Marc Bellay, Paris/Geneva, acting on behalf of Hedwig Bopp von Oberstadt, to Emil Bührle, 3 August 1945, declaring the transfer of ownership for all 8 paintings to Emil Bührle.
  12. "Alice Legouvé im Lehnstuhl", Wikipedia (in German), 2019-08-07, retrieved 2021-04-21
  13. "Kunstindeks Danmark & Weilbachs kunstnerleksikon". www.kulturarv.dk. Retrieved 2021-04-14. Artist: Cézanne, Paul Title: Badende kvinder Date: ca 1900 Type of work: Maleri Materials/technique: Olie på lærred Net size: 73 x 92 cm Signature: Ikke betegnet. Museum: Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, inv. nr. MIN 2790 Acquisition: Gave, 1956 Provenance: Kunsthandler Ambroise Vollard (1867-1939), Paris. Kunstsamler, dr. Alexander Lewin, Guben (1879-1942). Dennes datter Alice J. Kurz (1908-2000), Hastings-on-Hudson. Marianne Feilchenfeldt, Zürich. Købt hos denne af Ny Carlsbergfondet i 1956 og skænket til museet samme år.
  14. "Paul Cézanne | The Sea at L'Estaque | L1249 | National Gallery, London". www.nationalgallery.org.uk. Retrieved 2021-04-21.
  15. "World Briefs". Times of Malta. 16 July 2009. Retrieved 2021-04-13. The painting Peasant Girl Without a Hat by artist Wilhelm Leibl (1844-1900) had been part of the collection of the Bremen museum since 1966. It was bought in the 1930s by Alexander Lewin, an arts collector and owner of a hat factory. The Nazis seized it after Lewin fled to Switzerland in 1938 and it was not known if the artwork had been sold beforehand. Lewin had managed to get part of his art collection out to Switzerland but what he left in Germany was confiscated by the Nazi regime. The Nazis had planned to display the painting at the Adolf Hitler museum in the Austrian city of Linz. (AFP)
  16. "Bavarian State Paintings Collection in the News Again, May Face Claims from Eva Braun Heirs". www.lootedart.com. Retrieved 2021-04-13. And in 2009, the Commission recommended that the German Federal Government return Peasant Girl without a Hat and with a White Headcloth (1897) by Wilhelm Leibl to the heirs of Dr Alexander Lewin.
  17. "Lost Art Internet Database - Search Requests". www.lostart.de. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
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