New regulations now require New York museums to prominently label any artworks that were stolen or sold by Nazis in an effort to honor Holocaust survivors.
Additional legislation now requires the New York State Department of Financial Services to publish a list of financial institutions that will waive fees for Holocaust reparation payments.
"As New Yorkers, we are united in our solemn commitment to Holocaust survivors: We will never forget," Gov. Hochul said in a statement regarding the policies. "These are individuals who have endured unspeakable tragedy but nonetheless have persevered to build lives of meaning and purpose right here in New York. We owe it to them, their families, and the six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust to honor their memories and ensure future generations understand the horrors of this era."
Under Assembly Bill A3719A, museums must add a placard or sign to any displayed artwork created before 1945 that “changed hands due to theft, seizure, confiscation, forced sale or other involuntary means in Europe during the Nazi era.”
Experts have estimated that 600,000 pieces of art were taken from Jewish owners by Nazis. Today, roughly 100,000 are still considered to be missing.
In Paris, the Louvre has approximately 1,700 pieces of art that were seized by Nazis. The museum has returned 15 pieces to their rightful owners, per The Hill.
“The Metropolitan Museum of Art has also returned works from Nazi-era Europe over the years, including a snuffbox, two bronze medals and a plaquette to the heirs of a Munich-based art gallery that was extorted by the Nazi government, as well as a 16th century silver stem cup to the heirs of a Jewish couple murdered in a concentration camp in 1944,” reports NBC News.
The Met was also permitted to keep a $100 million painting by Pablo Picasso after winning a lawsuit in 2021. The painting’s previous owner reportedly sold the work to fund his escape from Nazi Germany.
Artwork created prior to 1945 that was controlled by Nazis is already required under state law to be registered in the private database of stolen, looted, or lost pieces – the Art Loss Register.
New York lawmakers say a rise in antisemitism prompted the new law in order to increase transparency about the impact of the German regime on the world.
“Too many people remain ignorant of the indiscriminate wholesale murder of more than six million Jews by the Nazis during World War II, plus the countless examples of humiliation and, in cases such as this, blatant profiteering,” said Assemblyman Charles Lavine. “This law is indicative of how we must continue to fight hate through education."
“As antisemitism rises across New York and Holocaust survivors age, this new law will ensure that New York students are taught about what happens when hatred goes unchecked,” said Assemblyman Nily Rozic. “I'm grateful to Governor Hochul for signing this package of legislation, and to all the organizations and advocates whose tireless work brought us to this moment."
A final piece of legislation signed into law by Hochul requires the state’s Education Department to determine if schools have met the teaching standards for the Holocaust and establish how non-compliant schools will be expected to close gaps in knowledge. Schools in New York have been required by law to teach students about the Holocaust since 1994.
