The “To Whom Do These Works Belong” Gallery at the Musée d’Orsay
The Musée d’Orsay’s Initiative:
More than ever, the Musée d’Orsay is committed to in-depth research on the provenance of its collections. In accordance with the values upheld by the institution and the ethical standards established by ICOM, the Washington Convention (1998), and the Ministry of Culture, the history of the works is now the subject of rigorous attention, and the Musée d’Orsay actively participates in the renewed research on the provenance of works in its collections.
A central focus of this initiative involves works known as the Musées Nationaux Récupération (MNR)—artworks looted by the Nazis and recovered in the aftermath of World War II. Of the 60,000 works returned to France in the aftermath of the war, 225 remain in the care of the Musée d’Orsay and require further research. In addition to the MNR works, AFMO’s support will enable the study of other artworks at the Orsay whose provenance in the years 1933–1945 is still in need of full clarification.
Chronology of the Spoliations, Recoveries, and Restitutions:
January 1933
Adolf Hitler is named Chancellor of Germany.
Facing increased persecution, many German Jews are forced to sell their art collections to finance their exile.
September 1st 1939
French defeat, the armistice is signed. Beginning of the Occupation and the Vichy regime.
Summer 1940
The Nazis begin pillaging art collections belonging to French Jews.
In October, the Einsatzstab Reichsleiter Rosenberg (ERR), an agency dedicated to the confiscation of cultural objects, sets up their operation at the Jeu de Paume. Rose Valland takes detailed notes on the destinations of stolen art and relays information to the French Resistance.
Fall 1940
Reopening of the Hôtel Drouot, where the most important Parisian auctions are held.
The art market is flooded by spoliated works.
Various buyers purchase works for German museums and prominent Nazi collectors.
1940-1944
Establishment of a policy of discrimination, persecution and deportation of French Jews ; 80,000 are assassinated, mainly in extermination camps.
May 8th 1945
End of World War II in Europe.
1945-1950
The “Récupération artistique”efforts led by the Allies begin. 60,000 works are recovered in the Reich’s territories are returned to France, largely thanks to Rose Valland’s notes.
Approximately 45,000 works are restituted but 15,000 remain unclaimed. Within these, 2,200 MNRs are selected by the State and put in the care of state museums. The rest are sold.
1950-1993
Between 1950 and 1954, 46 MNR works are restituted. By 1993, only 4 more are returned to their rightful owners.
Since 1994
Access to new archives, efforts by spoliated families, as well as a moral and political awakening within the State is revives work on MNRs.
The Musée d’Orsay’s Efforts
In the last 30 years, the Musée d’Orsay has already restituted 15 MNRs. 225 now remain in their care. The provenance of most of these requires more research in order to be restituted, however, in some cases, research has already proven that they were most likely not spoliated and are therefore not returnable. In close collaboration with the ministère de la Culture (Mission de recherche et de restitution des biens culturels spoliés entre 1933 et 1945, M2RS), and in conjunction with the Commission pour la restitution des biens et l’indemnisation des victimes de spoliations antisémites (CIVS), the Musée d’Orsay is committed to a proactive provenance research policy to shed light on its collections and pursue restitutions. This approach relies in particular on the recruitment of independent provenance specialists, made possible thanks to AFMO’s support.
AFMO’s support focuses on two main areas:
Entrance of the ‘To Whom Do These Works Belong’ Gallery, Room 10B at the Musée d’Orsay
Research Team
Over the next five years, AFMO will fund a team of art historians and researchers led by provenance expert Dr. Ines Rotermund-Reynard. Her team will study the ownership histories of the MNR works as well as approximately 400 additional pieces acquired through forced sales after 1933. The team will use new technology and work with experts around the world.
Dedicated Gallery
AFMO also supported the creation of a dedicated gallery in room 10B at the Orsay, curated by Dr. Rotermund-Reynard and François Blanchetière. Inaugurated on May 5th 2026, this gallery features a rotating installations of MNR works. By sharing the history of these paintings and the research underway, the gallery serves as a space for reflection and remembrance of this tragic chapter in world history. AFMO’s contribution has been recognized with a plaque in the gallery.
How to spot an MNR
While most of MNR works displayed in the Musée d’Orsay’s collection are now displayed in the ‘To Whom Do These Works Belong?’ gallery, others can be spotted throughout the museum in the permanent collection galleries or as part of temporary exhibitions. For instance, you can currently view Georges Seurat’s Ruines à Grandcamp (MNR 1006) in Room 38 on the fifth floor. MNR works are recognisable thanks to their purple label.
To discover the Musée d’Orsay’s entire MNR collection, please click here.
To discover the complete list of MNR works currently displayed at the Musée d’Orsay, please click here.
MNRs Exhibited in the ‘To Whom Do These Works Belong’ Gallery:
To find out more about the provenance of each work exhibited, click on the image.
