Germany began publishing an online list of works on Tuesday that were discovered in a huge art stash in a Munich flat last year and believed for the most part to have been stolen or extorted by the Nazis.<br /><br />The works were found in the home of war-time German art dealer, Hildebrand Gurlitt, whose reclusive son Cornelius sold pieces whenever he needed cash. The lost modern art is worth millions of euros.<br /><br />President of the German Jewish Community, Dieter Graumann told euronews: “it is important that we have transparency through both the internet and experts, something we haven’t had until now. It should have happened long ago.”<br /><br />The German government has been heavily criticised for keeping silent for almost two years about the trove of art works until a German magazine broke the story last week.<br /><br />Investigators found a vast trove containing works by Picasso, Matisse and Chagall, rotting among stacks of groceries inside the Munich flat.<br /><br />Winfried Bausback, State Justice Minister, Bavaria said: “Bearing in mind Germany’s historical responsibility, as well as the interests of the rightful owners, not only do we need to pursue a criminal investigation but also an inquiry into the exact origin of the paintings.”<br /><br />Defending their policy of silence, government officials said they were worried about the security of the art and the related insurance. Also, a confidential tax fraud investigation was taking place into Cornelius Gurlitt.
