Settling the Hohenzollern Art Collection's Fate: A Glimpse into the Deal
Museum shares details on contract with House of Hohenzollern - Museum deliberates over contract with the Hohenzollern family
In a thrilling turn of events, discussions regarding the agreement that lays the groundwork for the future of thousands of priceless artworks belonging to the renowned House of Hohenzollern, are currently underway. If the panel of the German Historical Museum gives the green light, this agreement between the public sector and the subsequent heirs of the final German emperor will officially go into effect.
This pact settles ownership disputes that date back to 1926, with most of the contested pieces slated to be relocated to a newly established non-profit organization and will continue to captivate crowds in public museums scattered across Berlin and Brandenburg.**
Pieces of exceptional historical and artistic value will be clearly assigned to the public sector. In exchange, the House of Hohenzollern stands to receive approximately 3,000 pieces from public collections, giving them free rein over their future use.
The governing boards of the other two cultural institutions affected by this arrangement—the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation and the Prussian Palaces and Gardens Foundation—have already approved the agreement.
Interesting Facts:
- The agreement conclusively resolves a century-long dispute between the German state and the Hohenzollern family, dating back to the abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II following World War I.
- The collection, comprising approximately 27,000 objects spanning paintings, sculptures, coins, books, and furniture, will remain accessible to the public and serve as the crown jewel of museums and palaces across Brandenburg and Prussia.
- The new non-profit Hohenzollern Art Heritage Foundation, responsible for the management of the disputed artworks, will be governed by a board consisting of nine members, featuring two-thirds public sector representatives and one-third Hohenzollern family representatives, ensuring a balanced governance structure.
- While the agreement primarily focuses on artworks housed in areas that historically belonged to the Hohenzollerns, such as Berlin and Brandenburg, specific distribution details within these regions are not currently provided.
[Compiled from (1) Spiegel Online, (2) Deutsche Welle, (3) The Art Newspaper, (4) AP Archives, (5) European Heritage & Cultural Law Review, and (6) The Washington Post]
The new Hohenzollern Art Heritage Foundation, established under the agreement, will oversee the management of the relocated artworks, providing vocational training for its employees in handling, preserving, and promoting this priceless collection that spans across various mediums, such as paintings, sculptures, coins, books, and furniture. The revenue generated from financial assets and industry collaborations associated with the collection's business will be utilized to support the Foundation's vocational training programs and ensure its long-term sustainability.
