Valuable artwork, missing since it was looted by the Nazis, has been uncovered in Munich.
Paintings from such sought-after artists as Picasso, Matisse and Chagall are among the 1,500 pieces found. They had been confiscated by the Nazis during the 1930s and 1940.
The pieces were found to be in the possession of just one man and were discovered by chance by tax authorities who were investigating the reclusive son of a Munich art dealer.
Cornelius Gurlitt was suspected of tax evasion which prompted a search of his home in Munich. The works were spotted in darkened rooms, although some had been sold from time to time when Gurlitt needed funds.
The Nazis categorised almost all modern art as "degenerate" and banned it for being un-German or for being the work of Jewish artists. They also detested Picasso, especially his piece on Guernica which shows the German bombing during the Spanish Civil War.
They also stole works from Jewish art collectors.
Some works were confiscated or destroyed; others were sold to collectors for a low price.
The value of the works, one of the largest collections of recovered looted art, could be some €1 billion in today’s money.
International warrants exist for at least 200 of the paintings.
