Earlier this week a painting by the artist Jacob Jordaens that was stolen by the Nazis from a flat in Mechelen (Antwerp Province) 85 years ago was returned to the descendants of its rightful owners. The painting was handed back at the Dossin Barracks Holocaust Memorial and Information Centre in Mechelen.
The work is a version of the 17th century painting ‘The Return of the Holy Family from the Flight into Egypt’ and is estimated to be worth around 800,000 euro.
In 1940, the resistance fighter Joseph Scheppers de Bergstein was arrested by the Germans at his home and deported to Buchenwald concentration camp. At the time, Scheppers de Bergstein lived at Emmaüs Castle in Walem, a village near Mechelen. The castle was subsequently looted by the Nazis and some of the furnishings were burnt. The Jordaens painting was among the art stolen.
Shortly after the Second World War, Mr Scheppers de Bergstein's son Gaëtan reported the theft to the Economic Recovery Service.
In 2022, the painting was discovered in the cellar of a Dutchman's home in the Ardèche when he died. The man had always suspected that it might be Nazi-looted art. Shortly before his death, he told his nephew this in confidence.
The Dutchman's sister was his heir and her son did everything their power to return the Jordaens painting to its rightful owners or their heirs. Shortly before its return, the work was completely restored.
The painting has now been returned to the Dossin barracks in Mechelen. The three grandsons of Joseph Scheppers de Bergstein, Michel, Philippe and Maximilian, were present at the handover ceremony to receive the work on behalf of the family.