A restituted painting by Francesco Rosselli from the former Goudstikker collection to be sold at Lempertz

Stolen by Hermann Göring, finally returned after 85 years: On 4th December, Lempertz will auction the painting ‘The Resurrection of Christ’ by Florentine Renaissance painter Francesco di Lorenzo Roselli on behalf of its rightful heirs.

It is a small panel of exquisite quality and with a remarkable history: Francesco Roselli created the ‘Resurrection’ in Renaissance Florence. Born there in 1445, the painter initially worked in the studio of his brother Cosimo, who was also involved in the design of the Sistine Chapel in Rome. Francesco, on the other hand, specialised in miniature painting. This Resurrection was also created on a compact panel, probably for a domestic altar.

In 1928, the painting was part of a Hungarian collection that was auctioned in Amsterdam. It was purchased by Jacques Goudstikker, one of the most important art dealers of his time.

In order to escape persecution by the Nazis, Goudstikker was forced to leave the Netherlands in 1940. During his escape, he died in an accident aboard the ship in which he hoped to flee to South America. The inventory of his gallery, left behind in Amsterdam, was initially entrusted to his authorised representative, but Hermann Göring soon took possession of the artworks. Rosselli's ‘Resurrection’ was auctioned in Berlin that same year. Since then, it has been in a private German collection. Recently, Lempertz was able to restitute it to the heirs of Jacques Goudstikker. On 4th December, it will be auctioned at Lempertz in Cologne in the ‘50 Lots – My Choice’ auction.

Jan Bykowski
Press and Public Relations
info@lempertz.com
Tel. 0221 925729 -57