Works by Zygmunt Vogel: “View of the Cemetery at the Church of the Virgin Mary” and “View of the Carmelite Church in Warsaw” as well as the drawing “Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary” by Melchior Steidl are returning to Poland from the USA.

After 80 years since their disappearance, two watercolours by Zygmunt Vogel will find their way into the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw, thanks to the decision of their previous owner. Their return was possible thanks to the Kościuszko Foundation in New York. A drawing by Melchior Steidl, on the other hand, was recovered thanks to the direct cooperation of the Ministry of Culture with the US Federal Bureau of Investigation. ‘I would like to thank all the people, institutions and services thanks to which the restitution activities of the Polish Ministry of Culture can be so fruitful’, said Minister of Culture and National Heritage Professor Piotr Glinski during the presentation ceremony of the three recovered works at the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in New York.

The Minister of Culture and National Heritage noted that more and more cultural property, both lost as a result of World War II and looted after the war, has recently been returning to Poland.

“In recent years, we have greatly dynamised and developed the system of recovering works of art, above all war losses. It is based on our network of collaborators, individuals, and institutions in Poland and around the world. They include historians, citizens, enthusiasts, associations, as well as foundations that are involved in the search for war losses. It is thanks to their help, among others, that practically every week we find lost works of art in various places around the world”, said Professor Piotr Gliński.

Before the outbreak of the Second World War, Vogel’s watercolours were part of the Warsaw collection of Count Edward Raczyński. In 1939, the watercolours, along with other works of art, including paintings, militaria and glass and ceramic items, were deposited in the National Museum in Warsaw. This was intended to protect them from looting. It did not happen, however, and the fate of both monuments remained unknown for several decades.

Adrian Andrzejewski