Zurich is racing into a dead end during the art dispute. The fronts have hardened in the controversy surrounding the works from the estate of the armaments manufacturer Emil G. Bührle (1890–1956).
Especially after the memorable media appearance on Wednesday, when the representatives of the Kunsthaus and the Bührle Foundation tried to use accountant and legal German to take control of a highly moralized, long-slipped debate. Museum director Christoph Becker relied on a counterattack – without success. Instead, the troupe from Heimplatz achieved the same effect on the audience as Erwin Wurm’s “One Minute Sculptures”, the bizarre everyday figures by the Austrian artist: wordless amazement with a dash of confusion.
“Cultural assets confiscated as a result of Nazi persecution”
In the shadow of Zurich’s self-persiflage, however, amazing things are happening in the Federal Palace. The looted art debate reaches the state government – with a remarkable positioning by the leading magistrate.
The occasion is the now well-known motion by the Graubünden SP National Councilor Jon Pult. With the support of 34 councilors, he calls for the creation of an independent commission for works of art that changed hands in connection with the Nazi dictatorship. In the event of a dispute, this group of experts would make a non-binding recommendation.
Pult speaks of “cultural assets seized as a result of Nazi persecution”, a term that Zurich avoids. There one adheres to the categories of looted art and refugee goods, which were once coined by the Bergier Commission.
For years, the Federal Office of Culture opposed the establishment of such a body as Pult demands: there is simply no need for it. The fact that Switzerland has committed itself to this through international agreements such as the Washington Principles and the Theresienstadt Declaration was not taken into account.
Zurich has to react earlier
However, as SonntagsBlick learned from well-informed sources, Pult can now count on the support of Alain Berset: The Minister of Culture considers the matter to be “absolutely sensible” and is in favor of setting up such a commission. Districts close to the Federal Council confirm this, but officially they do not want to comment on the matter on request in the Interior Department.
The state government has to agree on a position on Pults Motion by the spring session in March 2022. It remains to be seen whether Berset will find a majority – representatives of the art trade are also lobbying in Bern.
If the entire Federal Council recommends rejection, the advance will begin its long journey through the institutions.
In Zurich, on the other hand, something has to be done sooner to restore the trust that has been lost. The plans to disclose the existing and the new loan agreement between the Bührle Foundation and the Kunsthaus, which SonntagsBlick made public last week, could be a first step in the right direction.