Ich bin wirklich glücklich und stolz auf Eure Hartnäckigkeit. Die österreichische Regierung und Ministerin Gehrer haben diese Niederlage verdient. Gestern erst lief ich in Wien auf der Mariahilferstraße Richtung Ring und passierte dabei die Elisabethstraße....seit ich die Geschichte der Familie Bloch-Bauer/Altmann verfolgt habe, hat diese Straße für mich nun eine Geschichte bekommen. Eine mit einem doch noch guten Ende. Toll gemacht, Randy. Liebe Grüße aus Österreich!
After enjoying The Woman in Gold yesterday, I was moved to look for more information on the subject and ran across your video today. Thank you for posting this. Thank you for your tenacity and hard work in representing Mrs. Altmann. The story is as inspiring from the point of view looking back from the victory as it is heart breaking and terrifying considered from the point of view of those who lived this history. Keep telling the story so that it may never be forgotten.
Very intriguing, especially as my gran was from those regions Bavaria, born 1930, classed as ‘German speaking Czechs’ I think In her latter years she took up painting as a hobby, she also learned she was a some distant relative of Klimt, however she couldn’t prove on paper, maybe due to nazis burning everything? Her father was a musical composer, but as his blood was not pure German, they were all burned, But she kept a lot of her life very quiet until she wrote her memoirs, even about being took by he elder sisters to Hitlter parade throughout the bordering towns, her word was viable to me when talking about history, she lived it and I believed her Wether she looked into this early in life or later with the aid of the net I’m not sure Klimt had I think 14 children, so I’m trying to establish where she found a link Glad the paintings went to the rightful owner, or it was resolved, wills are a touchy thing to deal with.
Indeed 👍 I've seen the movie numerous times, and I am so grateful for your tenacity and compassion in standing up for the legacy of your family and all who had their family heirlooms stolen and were murdered in the holocaust. We must never forget what happened or allow people to diminish this atrocity!
Wow! Randy’s persistence, intelligence, finesse, and devotion to seek justice for his family & Maria’s family has to be one of the proudest moments of his life, both personally & professionally! This story is impressive in so many ways, especially because of the impact it has had & will continue to have into the future. I hope Maria Altmann’s heirs & the Bloch-Bauer heirs have made significant decisions that will benefit their families & issues well into the future, as an honor & tribute to Ferdinand & Adele Bloch-Bauer!
I just saw the movie about this yesterday with my mother. We both cried. It was truly a touching story. I am so glad that Maria and Randy won the case.
Oh my god what a great story, and how great the lovely nephew/lawyer was! He was an absolute hero! So delighted that Maria got her paintings back, she was right it was incredibly just. This was such an uplifting story, just goes to show that there is really good people out there.
Adele made her will before the Nazi era. The painting was not her property but that of her beloved husband who was left penniless and all their people gassed and burned by the German's and their willing collaborators of whom Austria was one of a vast number of Jew hating murderers. Maria is class and Randall is genius, congratulations.
I saw this documentary some months ago. Absolutely phenomenal--a wonderful David-and-Goliath story. Congratulations, Mr. Schoenberg, on winning such an important case!
Yes congratulations on lining your pockets with $109 million, 40% of the sale of the paintings as legal services commission to Ms Altmann who herself said: "I would not want any private person to buy these paintings, ... It is very meaningful to me that they are seen by anybody who wants to see them, because that would have been the wish of my aunt." And congratulations to the investor who bought the Adele Bloch-Bauer II portrait for $88 million and sold it for $150 to Chinese businessman for his own private collection. Shame about all the real art lovers who can no longer see any of these paintings, against the express wishes of Adele BB herself, who in her own will left them to the Belvedere.
@@mrrolight You are too much. He damn near went bankrupt and deserved compensation and repayment. She deserved to have her paintings returned. Not much else was; her uncles' sugar companies, the villa that Heydrich took over, properties, houses, personal possessions - most - all gone, all stolen. Sorry, Austrians during WW2 and thereafter have a very poor history in regards to respecting their own citizens of Jewish ancestry - - or for following the law, and have long aided & abetted the Nazi regime.. As did the Swiss.... This is one tiny case of good winning over evil, and fine FAIR judges in Austria seeing it . Quite brave & noble on their parts to do the right thing.
Have you watch the British Film Drama of this story? So moving, an incredible story. Really puts the whole story into context. and as a bonus, Helen Mirren also gives an Oscar worthy performance in the film...
You will never have the chance to compare in loco to the stupendous "Kiss". And probably you will never see "live" the marvelous portrait Adele Bloch Bauer II or the amazing Birch Forest. I was lucky enough to admire all of them in the Belvedere, in a visit to Austria, some years ago, but now is finished, since Maria Altman took them from the public eyes and sold them like potatoes to different private buyers who consider art a commodity, like a potato or barrel of oil. (The portrait of Adele Bloch Bauer II was bought by Oprah, who sold it later to some anonymous Chinese buyer and probably will never be seen again. The other 3 paintings of Klimt received by Altman from the Museum of Belvedere (including the Birch Forest) had a similar fate - she received 5 paintings and sold them all to private buyers. Only the painting Adele Bloch-Bauer I is at exhibition. No one can say for how long...
Thanks for posting this film. I love that Maria Altmann and Randol Schoenberg had the courage to get these the paintings back. I'm very excited about seeing the Helen Mirren and Ryan Reynolds movie, Woman in Gold, which is based on this case.
This is an amazing true story of heritage & determination all because the greed of the Nazis. You did a fantastic job in helping Maria find justice for her & the family especially her Aunt Adele & Uncle Ferdinand. God had His hand in this & the payout $270m...well done!
I just watched the movie on Netflix and then went to google to read more about this beautiful painting and to learn more about Maria and saw this documentary on google. Very informative.
Randy, You were the perfect man for this legal case. Any excessive aggression would have likely backfired and you'd likely lost that case. You did a great job, and a great service for a wonderful woman. I truly believe that God was at work
Nick Nicometi ....Does god “work” only on behalf of the innocent, the just, the weak? Do you believe that god “works”only to right humanity’s evils? Is god like a parent who separates two fighting children, listens to their respective arguments and always sides with the deserving one? How convenient to have such a god around. But it is a narrow idea of god and one that is a fantasy of your needs. If there is a god that watches over and protects us, as your god seems to do, was it not the same god that watched over the injustice as it happened? And if the painting had not been returned to the family? Many more victims of the Nazis never saw justice. Where was god during their struggles ? Perhaps you might rethink your concept of god.
@@renzo6490 Its mostly a figure of speech, I don't think the person was inviting all comers to a debate about the existence of God. The premise of your argument is flawed though, if God created existence and he is just. Than nothing that happens within his creation is unjust by him. Humans can be unjust to the nature of God. Not the other way around.
@@renzo6490 You have a very convenient level of analysis when it comes to said God. fits right into the whole no nonsense logic driven atheistic thing. Your types never have a fundamental understanding of what you argue against. Attacking a straw man version of God is easy. I would suggest watching a few John Lennox debates.
@@renzo6490 Everything will be all right in the end. If it's not all right it's not the end. Epics have many verses chapters and volumes. If this is not the end then we can hope for another chapter. But what that is, who can possibly imagine? It seems amazing to me that the Jewish family that lost everything to the Nazis should have their fortune restored in this manner. It's even more amazing that the world should have had the privilege of knowing Adele Bloch-Bauer and the genius of her portaitist for so long.
I went to youtube to find more about the real Maria Altmann after watching the movie Woman in Gold last night. This video gave me the answers I was looking for. Thank you for posting it and for the great work in the Klimt case. It made me wonder if the Greek state could do the same to the UK state in regards to the Elgin marbles?
This story is impressive! If it were a film script it would be awarded the best of all times. After I read the book about it I found a catalogue from an art exhibition where Klimt's paintings are listed, still belonging to Belvedere's collection. Klimt was no doubt a genius! I'm happy that the justice found its way, at least in this case.
Austria's "Minister of Culture & Education" deciding that stolen property is not "LOOT". The Belvedere, a state museum bought the paintings from a Nazi govt, official without documentation, with "NO Questions Asked". Corruption at all levels. What would you expect when "they" answer to no one. Hooray for you Randol !!!! and all of Adele's family. Case Closed
Just saw the movie today. I suggest you take along a supply of tissues when you go. I am not a sentimentalist, but my tears were frequent. Helen Mirren, as usual , is supurb at Maria Altmann. The film deserves a great deal more attention than it has received.
Thank you for bringing this remarkable story to our attention - I'd wanted to see the Helen Mirren film before watching your documentary - now even more so. I teach Religious Studies in Secondary school, this will be a great story about Justice.
Update: Maria died in 2011 at age 94. Shame that she had to spend many of her last years trying to get her property returned to her. I'm glad she and her tenacious lawyer won out in the end. Good job, Randy!
@@gregorcollins Well... I mean really what did she succeed in doing? She took the paintings out of public view at the Belvedere, against the express wishes of her aunt, Adele Bloch-Bauer, then she immediately sold them to private collectors. She paid her 'no-win, no-fee' opportunistic lawyer 40% ($109M) gave some to a Jewish charity as guilt relief, and pocketed an absolute fortune. Neither her aunt nor her uncle left those paintings to her or to any other extended family. But for an absurd, politically loaded judgement, those paintings simply were not hers to sell. If she actually cared about the paintings, she would have left them exactly where they were, exactly where her aunt had intended them to be. Or she would have kept them to look at herself. She didn't care about them at all. She cared about lining her pockets and when an opportunity presented itself, not of her instigation I might add but that of a lawyer with an eye for a killing, she jumped in with both feet, not least because the enterprise would cost her nothing as the lawyer was willing to work pro bono on the off-chance he might make... well... $109M. The world is an idiot for not seeing this fiasco for what it is. Adele and Ferdinand Bloch-Bauer will be turning in their graves knowing that their most beloved treasures have been stolen yet again, this time by a member of their own family. Quite, quite sick.
Really interesting video, Randol. Made me look forward to seeing the movie. And.. you must really like having Ryan Reynolds playing you. Congrats on a win all around!
The Belvedere still has a very nice Klimt collection, including "The Kiss." I spent a week in Vienna last Summer with my daughter and really enjoyed it. The B is still a fantstic museum and there are many others. I do hope the private buyers, or their heirs, at some point exhibit them all for public view.
It's truly stunning that those interviewed in the end missed the entire point regarding the case and could only talk about how THEY felt about not seeing them in the gallery anymore. Just think how the Bloch-Bauers felt having their entire lives stolen from them just for being Jewish! So glad you got Mrs. Altmann justice!
+Anishka Altmann Are you a niece or granddaughter of Maria Altmann z"l ? It is an extraordinary true story. Then, Maria z"l and her brother-in-law in Liverpool were responsible for introducing and importing kashmir/cachmère sweaters to the U.S. market! I never knew that. You know this story/history, though your family's, is somewhat personal to me as well as my grandmother's family were part of the Viennese Jewish community too, at that time; the Reichmanns.
Looking forward to watching this documentary. I've just finished watching the excellent 'Woman In Gold' movie, but the Blu-ray is a little short on extras.
The reference of the Belvedere to the testament of Adele is ridiculous since their taking possession of the paintings was not though the legal heir but though a handler for the criminal Nazi leaders. That alone should have rendered any claim by the Belvedere null and void.
watched the movie, burst into tears after knowing what maria's been through. wasn't expecting the win though, but yeah u did it congratulation for the win
Amazing, incredible, Maria deserved to have her families or relatives painting returned to her. Art dealers should learn not to deal with art on an illegal or criminal basis free from stealing
You mean retreive a painting that was rightfully theirs right ? Meanwhile Maria only cared when the painting took value and decided to desecrate her aunt's wish for financial gain ?
If the Belvedere Gallery had only given her back the paintings they would most likely have reacquired them later in good conscience, but greed was behind their motives to keep them, and they ultimately lost out.
Just had the pleasure of watching the movie last evening. I cried at the loss, the struggle, and the outcome. I wonder what we can do to support this effort of Mr. Schoenberg as citizens in the US? How can we make a difference to affect those still struggling for retribution? Everyone should see this movie, and remember...
What an amazing story. It was well worth my time to watch the excitement and to learn both the Maria's struggle thru Nazism looting and winning back her belongings (thanks to her Jewish-Austrian family-friend, Randy), and the final "twist" of how the Adelle Potrait was treated by the Nazi's as the "lowliest paintings" (due to its Jewish background) to becoming one the highest praised art-collections in the world. What an extraordinarily wonderful "DAVID AND GOLIATH" story.
I am absolutely astonished about this story!! OMG It´s incredible!! Sounds like fiction. Congratulations for winning this battle for justice seems so little! WOW What a battle!!! It´s epic! but yes, Congratulations of course!!! Having a attorney brother, I know what winning means. Amazing story. Like David vs Goliath :D
That was really good! I'm a big fan of Fake or Fortune? and now of this program. If anyone can suggest any other art related shows (that are up on TH-cam), it would be greatly appreciated!
For once in the fight between the left and the right, the left won. This was a long fight for restitution by Block-Baur family. Took 60 years in making. The sincerity of the litigator was admirable and refreshing. Also his father was a judge, so I am presuming he had access to great and quality advise. Also, the value of Klimts increased for 2 reasons, 1 mentioned in the documentary, they survived, and the other was the public display of Klimt's collection in Belvedere. Also the reason why Altman's won. Had the paintings been kept in the storage somewhere, nothing of the sorts had happened. Ironic for Austria.
Interesting that you see it as a left-right thing, with no evidence of such. Most of us want the law applied equally for a just outcome. We know from recent experience, the left is only interested in winning, not justice.
Film Woman in Gold is out and is excellent. Don't believe any negative reviews. Some do not want to recall the treatment of Jews as Hitler took over in Europe. I saw the film last night and it's superbly acted and worth seeing for its historical as well as artistic excellence,
There are a few oddities. Most countries have an absolute embargo on the export of antiquities. Even when privately owned. So I wonder why these were treated quite differently.
***** Most countries don't try to exterminate their Jewish populations. If you were Jewish, would you have wanted to go back to Austria after WWII? Should those who survived have been forced to leave behind what remained of their collections?
Of course I wouldn't have wanted to go back and yes they should have been forced to leave the art behind. I can own things in most countries of the world but I am not permitted to export them from those countries and bring them here. The US is also a strong believer in this concept. You could not import Egyptian artifacts or things taken from Venice for example. So whilst it may belong to them they would not normally be entitled to move it around the world. And that would also have been true if Hitler and the second world war had never happened.
***** the difference here is that the art was commissoned by the family and it was relatively new at that time, these were not antiquities, it's like comparing apples and oranges.
Funny how our own personal tastes vary. Outside of the portraits, the Landscape is my fav and it went for the least! (It reminds of the East Coast of Canada). I'm not quite sold on the fact that the family did not want to keep them because they could not protect them... if they sold four of them, they could afford security??? BUT then who gets the painting in the next generation when it's value is so astronomical! Okay, just sorting out my own thoughts here! I get it now.
All four for under 300,000,000 thats insane. all four would go for over a billion today.(I have seen them in person... They are absolutely stunning works.
Austria can only blame itself for not having been open to a real negotiation. They thought they'd win and refused a compromise when Maria offered it to them
I heard your family name mentioned. Is their story somewhere I can read. It's lively that you are trying to heal scars of the Shoah by rescuing their belongings.
Hey Randy! I am not a lawyer, nor have any concept of the mazework you must of faced. My question is: Even though Adele left her paintings to the Belvedere, would there have been a martial law that allowed Ferdinand to be the sole heir of his wife's belongings, regardless of her wishes stated in the will? If so, then if the Austrian gov't was pushing her will as their claim to keep them, then they would have to acknowledge the law honouring that all her belongings first go to her husband and then his wishes had to be honoured. Were they ignoring that? Hope that made sense! Thanks! M.
Adele only asked in her will that her husband Ferdinand leave the paintings to the museum in his will. He didn't do that, because when he wrote his last will, he was in exile in Switzerland and all his property had been confiscated by the Nazis. In fact, when Adele died in 1925, her executor, Ferdinand's brother (and Maria's father) Gustav said that the paintings belonged to Ferdinand and that Adele's wishes were not binding, although he also said Ferdinand intended at that time to fulfill her wishes. Obviously, circumstances changed in 1938 when Ferdinand fled for his life and his property was taken away.
***** Hi, I am a lawyer ( not in the USA ) and I was delighted to see how you worked out your tactics and strategy to win the case. I am in the middle of watching the two parts of the deposition of Ms. Altmann and I have understood what a precise preparation was of yours to be able to present all specific details. Working under a different jurisdiction, I am amazed how flexible a court can be. I am dreaming of such judges you could have faced. Your basic argument is and was that the last will of Adele Bloch-Bauer was a simple wish and I have to accept it. As did the arbitration panel. ( Sorry for my broken English.)
I like how Bela said at the end that Adele's was a wish, not law binding... seems to make it clearer to the novice such as myself. As well, very true how much you must be admired and respected for navigating the legal system and the law on different levels. I just saw the actual movie a couple of weeks ago and must say it held quite the emotional wallop... especially when Adele said good-bye to her parents. History is made of up our experiences of the times we live in, and am thankful that Adele's has been made known and saved for generations to come!
Austria and Austrians will never recover the honor that is lost from this episode in their history. Forever will they be known as a people of low character and devoid of integrity. That will cost them far, far more than the value of these works. "The foundation of morality is to have done, once and for all, with lying." - Thomas Henry Huxley
The magnitude of ancient art of Egypt, Greece and Rome has been looted and is widely dispersed over the world. It needs to be returned. This is possible but not probable.
I'm really surprised it took so long. When the Belvedere paid the Nazis for the paintings, it was an admission of sorts, that they were not the rightful owners, regardless of Adelle's will. Add to that the fact that had they filed for inheritance arbitration at the time they would surely have lost the case.
Another question I have is, how many works of art that were stolen by the Nazis but; were then re-stolen by the Soviets at the end of the war ( for reparations? ) are still in Moscow to this day and will probably not be returned to their rightful owners?
Did the movie have it wrong? Why was the relationship between Maria Altman and the Austrian government not delved into more in this piece? From what was shown in the film, Maria was pissed at their callous treatment of her. It was the reason she wanted them out of Austria.
Ich bin wirklich glücklich und stolz auf Eure Hartnäckigkeit. Die österreichische Regierung und Ministerin Gehrer haben diese Niederlage verdient. Gestern erst lief ich in Wien auf der Mariahilferstraße Richtung Ring und passierte dabei die Elisabethstraße....seit ich die Geschichte der Familie Bloch-Bauer/Altmann verfolgt habe, hat diese Straße für mich nun eine Geschichte bekommen. Eine mit einem doch noch guten Ende. Toll gemacht, Randy. Liebe Grüße aus Österreich!
I watched Woman in Gold the other day and I just cannot stop thinking about it! My deepest admiration for everything you did!!!
I love this stuff wonderful story the movie was good also
So I'm watching art of the heist and the narrator mentions the Mona Lisa being important to France..... hello
After enjoying The Woman in Gold yesterday, I was moved to look for more information on the subject and ran across your video today. Thank you for posting this. Thank you for your tenacity and hard work in representing Mrs. Altmann. The story is as inspiring from the point of view looking back from the victory as it is heart breaking and terrifying considered from the point of view of those who lived this history. Keep telling the story so that it may never be forgotten.
I want to know why that evil witch in Austria wasn't jailed, as she lied the paintings weren't bought from the Nazis.
Very intriguing, especially as my gran was from those regions Bavaria, born 1930, classed as ‘German speaking Czechs’ I think
In her latter years she took up painting as a hobby, she also learned she was a some distant relative of Klimt, however she couldn’t prove on paper, maybe due to nazis burning everything? Her father was a musical composer, but as his blood was not pure German, they were all burned, But she kept a lot of her life very quiet until she wrote her memoirs, even about being took by he elder sisters to Hitlter parade throughout the bordering towns, her word was viable to me when talking about history, she lived it and I believed her
Wether she looked into this early in life or later with the aid of the net I’m not sure
Klimt had I think 14 children, so I’m trying to establish where she found a link
Glad the paintings went to the rightful owner, or it was resolved, wills are a touchy thing to deal with.
I just saw "WOMAN IN GOLD" with Helen Mirren also ... and it too inspired me to learn more about this era.
Very interesting and terribly tragic.
Indeed 👍 I've seen the movie numerous times, and I am so grateful for your tenacity and compassion in standing up for the legacy of your family and all who had their family heirlooms stolen and were murdered in the holocaust. We must never forget what happened or allow people to diminish this atrocity!
Wow! Randy’s persistence, intelligence, finesse, and devotion to seek justice for his family & Maria’s family has to be one of the proudest moments of his life, both personally & professionally! This story is impressive in so many ways, especially because of the impact it has had & will continue to have into the future. I hope Maria Altmann’s heirs & the Bloch-Bauer heirs have made significant decisions that will benefit their families & issues well into the future, as an honor & tribute to Ferdinand & Adele Bloch-Bauer!
Heart breaking story and such a beautiful painting. Maria was an amazing woman! Thank you for sharing.
I just saw the movie about this yesterday with my mother. We both cried. It was truly a touching story. I am so glad that Maria and Randy won the case.
The stuff movies are made of :)
Agree is disagree. They should be in the museum.
Oh my god what a great story, and how great the lovely nephew/lawyer was! He was an absolute hero! So delighted that Maria got her paintings back, she was right it was incredibly just. This was such an uplifting story, just goes to show that there is really good people out there.
Adele’testimony says clearly the painting go to Belvedere
Adele made her will before the Nazi era. The painting was not her property but that of her beloved husband who was left penniless and all their people gassed and burned by the German's and their willing collaborators of whom Austria was one of a vast number of Jew hating murderers. Maria is class and Randall is genius, congratulations.
I saw this documentary some months ago. Absolutely phenomenal--a wonderful David-and-Goliath story. Congratulations, Mr. Schoenberg, on winning such an important case!
Yes congratulations on lining your pockets with $109 million, 40% of the sale of the paintings as legal services commission to Ms Altmann who herself said: "I would not want any private person to buy these paintings, ... It is very meaningful to me that they are seen by anybody who wants to see them, because that would have been the wish of my aunt."
And congratulations to the investor who bought the Adele Bloch-Bauer II portrait for $88 million and sold it for $150 to Chinese businessman for his own private collection.
Shame about all the real art lovers who can no longer see any of these paintings, against the express wishes of Adele BB herself, who in her own will left them to the Belvedere.
@@mrrolight agree nobody cares about the will of Adele BB they care more about politics and greed. They are after all .. americans :D
@@mrrolight You are too much. He damn near went bankrupt and deserved compensation and repayment. She deserved to have her paintings returned. Not much else was; her uncles' sugar companies, the villa that Heydrich took over, properties, houses, personal possessions - most - all gone, all stolen. Sorry, Austrians during WW2 and thereafter have a very poor history in regards to respecting their own citizens of Jewish ancestry - - or for following the law, and have long aided & abetted the Nazi regime.. As did the Swiss.... This is one tiny case of good winning over evil, and fine FAIR judges in Austria seeing it . Quite brave & noble on their parts to do the right thing.
Have you watch the British Film Drama of this story? So moving, an incredible story. Really puts the whole story into context. and as a bonus, Helen Mirren also gives an Oscar worthy performance in the film...
@@LindaTCornwall Yes; I have seen it. It was excellent.
So glad Ms. Maria got that painting back. God bless.🙏👍😊
I saw the painting of Adele Bloch Bauer « live » it is even more stupendous than any film can convey...
nothing compared to the KISS :D if you want to see the real stuff you have to come to vienna .. birthplace of art culture and music
You will never have the chance to compare in loco to the stupendous "Kiss". And probably you will never see "live" the marvelous portrait Adele Bloch Bauer II or the amazing Birch Forest.
I was lucky enough to admire all of them in the Belvedere, in a visit to Austria, some years ago, but now is finished, since Maria Altman took them from the public eyes and sold them like potatoes to different private buyers who consider art a commodity, like a potato or barrel of oil.
(The portrait of Adele Bloch Bauer II was bought by Oprah, who sold it later to some anonymous Chinese buyer and probably will never be seen again. The other 3 paintings of Klimt received by Altman from the Museum of Belvedere (including the Birch Forest) had a similar fate - she received 5 paintings and sold them all to private buyers. Only the painting Adele Bloch-Bauer I is at exhibition.
No one can say for how long...
Nothing compares to the woman in gold....
Randy, you are a true crusader of justice and I couldn't be more proud of your efforts. I'm sure Ms. Altmann felt the same.
I do not know how I missed this before. It is wonderful to see. Congratulations to you again.
A fascinating but extremely sad in its essence story. Thank you very much for uploading the video!
Thanks for posting this film. I love that Maria Altmann and Randol Schoenberg had the courage to get these the paintings back.
I'm very excited about seeing the Helen Mirren and Ryan Reynolds movie, Woman in Gold, which is based on this case.
This is an amazing true story of heritage & determination all because the greed of the Nazis. You did a fantastic job in helping Maria find justice for her & the family especially her Aunt Adele & Uncle Ferdinand. God had His hand in this & the payout $270m...well done!
I’m glad Gustav Klimt was well paid for his services, too many artists aren’t recognised until a controversy or death gives the artwork any value
Good point
In the case of controversy-driven art, if that was what made the art valuable why pay the artist?
Really, that is all you get from this documentary...SORRY BUT YOU MISSED THE ENTIRE POINT.
I just watched the movie on Netflix and then went to google to read more about this beautiful painting and to learn more about Maria and saw this documentary on google. Very informative.
Kateri’s Krafty Idea’s What is the title of the movie in Netlix? Thanks! 🙂
Jeah Melocotones might be Lady in Gold?
7:44 thats downright cubist ! Amazing and inspiring !
Randy,
You were the perfect man for this legal case. Any excessive aggression would have likely backfired and you'd likely lost that case. You did a great job, and a great service for a wonderful woman. I truly believe that God was at work
Nick Nicometi ....Does god “work” only on behalf of the innocent, the just, the weak?
Do you believe that god “works”only to right humanity’s evils?
Is god like a parent who separates two fighting children, listens to their respective arguments and always sides with the deserving one?
How convenient to have such a god around.
But it is a narrow idea of god and one that is a fantasy of your needs.
If there is a god that watches over and protects us, as your god seems to do, was it not the same god that watched over the injustice as it happened?
And if the painting had not been returned to the family?
Many more victims of the Nazis never saw justice.
Where was god during their struggles ?
Perhaps you might rethink your concept of god.
@@renzo6490 Its mostly a figure of speech, I don't think the person was inviting all comers to a debate about the existence of God. The premise of your argument is flawed though, if God created existence and he is just. Than nothing that happens within his creation is unjust by him. Humans can be unjust to the nature of God. Not the other way around.
@@renzo6490 You have a very convenient level of analysis when it comes to said God. fits right into the whole no nonsense logic driven atheistic thing. Your types never have a fundamental understanding of what you argue against. Attacking a straw man version of God is easy. I would suggest watching a few John Lennox debates.
@@renzo6490 Everything will be all right in the end. If it's not all right it's not the end. Epics have many verses chapters and volumes. If this is not the end then we can hope for another chapter. But what that is, who can possibly imagine? It seems amazing to me that the Jewish family that lost everything to the Nazis should have their fortune restored in this manner. It's even more amazing that the world should have had the privilege of knowing Adele Bloch-Bauer and the genius of her portaitist for so long.
I went to youtube to find more about the real Maria Altmann after watching the movie Woman in Gold last night. This video gave me the answers I was looking for. Thank you for posting it and for the great work in the Klimt case. It made me wonder if the Greek state could do the same to the UK state in regards to the Elgin marbles?
Wonderful Video ! ❤
I have just finished watching the movie a second time. I forgot how good the movie is.
The beauty of the paintings pale before the beauty of justice done.
@Randol Schoenberg, thank you very much for sharing this important film. Stay safe. Regards from São Paulo, Brasil.
Great job, Mr Schoenberg! Great story.
This story is impressive! If it were a film script it would be awarded the best of all times. After I read the book about it I found a catalogue from an art exhibition where Klimt's paintings are listed, still belonging to Belvedere's collection. Klimt was no doubt a genius! I'm happy that the justice found its way, at least in this case.
Austria's "Minister of Culture & Education" deciding that stolen property is not "LOOT". The Belvedere, a state museum bought the paintings from a Nazi govt, official without documentation, with "NO Questions Asked". Corruption at all levels. What would
you expect when "they" answer to no one. Hooray for you Randol !!!! and all of Adele's family. Case Closed
@Swissffun Nani one must admit: That's a strong point.
I loved the movie, I loved the painting itself (it is breath taking) and I loved the true story and its outcome (justice).
It seems a decided lack of shame is still present in certain aspects of Austrian society. My hat is off to Mr. Schoenberg for refusing to give up!
Beautiful story!!! Wonderful History!!!
So interesting. Thank you.
Just saw the movie today. I suggest you take along a supply of tissues when you go. I am not a sentimentalist, but my tears were frequent. Helen Mirren, as usual , is supurb at Maria Altmann. The film deserves a great deal more attention than it has received.
Brilliant movie.
Thank you for bringing this remarkable story to our attention - I'd wanted to see the Helen Mirren film before watching your documentary - now even more so. I teach Religious Studies in Secondary school, this will be a great story about Justice.
Update: Maria died in 2011 at age 94. Shame that she had to spend many of her last years trying to get her property returned to her. I'm glad she and her tenacious lawyer won out in the end. Good job, Randy!
She did her family proud :)
she was a greedy old lady .. now she is dead.
@@alffuergregor You are as amazing as always, my friend! My very best.
@@gregorcollins Well... I mean really what did she succeed in doing? She took the paintings out of public view at the Belvedere, against the express wishes of her aunt, Adele Bloch-Bauer, then she immediately sold them to private collectors. She paid her 'no-win, no-fee' opportunistic lawyer 40% ($109M) gave some to a Jewish charity as guilt relief, and pocketed an absolute fortune. Neither her aunt nor her uncle left those paintings to her or to any other extended family. But for an absurd, politically loaded judgement, those paintings simply were not hers to sell. If she actually cared about the paintings, she would have left them exactly where they were, exactly where her aunt had intended them to be. Or she would have kept them to look at herself. She didn't care about them at all. She cared about lining her pockets and when an opportunity presented itself, not of her instigation I might add but that of a lawyer with an eye for a killing, she jumped in with both feet, not least because the enterprise would cost her nothing as the lawyer was willing to work pro bono on the off-chance he might make... well... $109M. The world is an idiot for not seeing this fiasco for what it is. Adele and Ferdinand Bloch-Bauer will be turning in their graves knowing that their most beloved treasures have been stolen yet again, this time by a member of their own family. Quite, quite sick.
@@mrrolight the painting is apart of a private collection but still viewable to the public and she took care of her family.
Thanks allot! for sharing this. The movie is great. I love Helen Miren
Really interesting video, Randol. Made me look forward to seeing the movie. And.. you must really like having Ryan Reynolds playing you. Congrats on a win all around!
MartiJ2011 the woman in Gold movie brought me into this documentary as well
The Belvedere still has a very nice Klimt collection, including "The Kiss." I spent a week in Vienna last Summer with my daughter and really enjoyed it. The B is still a fantstic museum and there are many others.
I do hope the private buyers, or their heirs, at some point exhibit them all for public view.
The Belvedere has an awful history. NAZI history.
@@eviken1982 Oh wow, didn't know the Nazis existed in 1714. Prince Eugene of Savoyen must have been SS-Obergruppenführer back then.
Gosh would so love to go
They are beautiful pieces of art work.
It's truly stunning that those interviewed in the end missed the entire point regarding the case and could only talk about how THEY felt about not seeing them in the gallery anymore. Just think how the Bloch-Bauers felt having their entire lives stolen from them just for being Jewish! So glad you got Mrs. Altmann justice!
75smurfette selfish Austrians haven’t changed a bit
Great documentary. Great story.
I'm so proud of my family... It makes me feel so strong...
+Anishka Altmann you should be !
+Anishka Altmann Are you a niece or granddaughter of Maria Altmann z"l ?
It is an extraordinary true story. Then, Maria z"l and her brother-in-law in Liverpool were responsible for introducing and importing kashmir/cachmère sweaters to the U.S. market! I never knew that.
You know this story/history, though your family's, is somewhat personal to me as well as my grandmother's family were part of the Viennese Jewish community too, at that time; the Reichmanns.
Congratulations for your work. inspiration for many.
Rome is always in the shadows
Looking forward to watching this documentary. I've just finished watching the excellent 'Woman In Gold' movie, but the Blu-ray is a little short on extras.
The reference of the Belvedere to the testament of Adele is ridiculous since their taking possession of the paintings was not though the legal heir but though a handler for the criminal Nazi leaders.
That alone should have rendered any claim by the Belvedere null and void.
Great doc; thanks for uploading. It became more personal after I realized that I went to the LACMA exhibition.
Well done. More informative than the movie.
Gut gemacht, es ist richtig so
Thank you for this post - excellent.
Thanks for sharing
watched the movie, burst into tears after knowing what maria's been through. wasn't expecting the win though, but yeah u did it congratulation for the win
Waau thanks for sharing. Wonderful that sometimes justice is served.
Amazing, incredible, Maria deserved to have her families or relatives painting returned to her. Art dealers should learn not to deal with art on an illegal or criminal basis free from stealing
You mean retreive a painting that was rightfully theirs right ?
Meanwhile Maria only cared when the painting took value and decided to desecrate her aunt's wish for financial gain ?
There is a movie about this coming out soon I believe
Lady in Gold starring Helen Mirren.
Fair play nice to see justice and what a lovely lady she offered them the chance to keep them and they bullied her defiantly worth watchin
Most interestingly, 'a collective historical marvel quite far beyond humanity's imagination.' Sincerely & appreciatively,
Derek Johnson
If the Belvedere Gallery had only given her back the paintings they would most likely have reacquired them later in good conscience, but greed was behind their motives to keep them, and they ultimately lost out.
Just had the pleasure of watching the movie last evening. I cried at the loss, the struggle, and the outcome. I wonder what we can do to support this effort of Mr. Schoenberg as citizens in the US? How can we make a difference to affect those still struggling for retribution? Everyone should see this movie, and remember...
Hahaha I love the irony that the up next video is titled 'Whatever happened to Klimt's Golden Lady?' hehe
I'm so glad for Maria that she won, yeeeey!!!
What an amazing story. It was well worth my time to watch the excitement and to learn both the Maria's struggle thru Nazism looting and winning back her belongings (thanks to her Jewish-Austrian family-friend, Randy), and the final "twist" of how the Adelle Potrait was treated by the Nazi's as the "lowliest paintings" (due to its Jewish background) to becoming one the highest praised art-collections in the world. What an extraordinarily wonderful "DAVID AND GOLIATH" story.
I am absolutely astonished about this story!! OMG It´s incredible!! Sounds like fiction. Congratulations for winning this battle for justice seems so little! WOW What a battle!!! It´s epic! but yes, Congratulations of course!!! Having a attorney brother, I know what winning means. Amazing story. Like David vs Goliath :D
That was really good! I'm a big fan of Fake or Fortune? and now of this program. If anyone can suggest any other art related shows (that are up on TH-cam), it would be greatly appreciated!
ivorytower99 l'heritier it's in French ,documentary about looted art and restitution
For once in the fight between the left and the right, the left won. This was a long fight for restitution by Block-Baur family. Took 60 years in making. The sincerity of the litigator was admirable and refreshing. Also his father was a judge, so I am presuming he had access to great and quality advise. Also, the value of Klimts increased for 2 reasons, 1 mentioned in the documentary, they survived, and the other was the public display of Klimt's collection in Belvedere. Also the reason why Altman's won. Had the paintings been kept in the storage somewhere, nothing of the sorts had happened. Ironic for Austria.
Interesting that you see it as a left-right thing, with no evidence of such. Most of us want the law applied equally for a just outcome. We know from recent experience, the left is only interested in winning, not justice.
love woman in gold
And you are one-half of Helen Mirren :)
So pleased the Nazi's did not win out on this.
Finally a sad story with a happy end on real life.
Good Job Randy 🕊
Film Woman in Gold is out and is excellent. Don't believe any negative reviews. Some do not want to recall the treatment of Jews as Hitler took over in Europe. I saw the film last night and it's superbly acted and worth seeing for its historical as well as artistic excellence,
one day I will go the art gallery to see lady in gold painting, not sure where it is now. Maybe in new york or in vienna. lol
Propably in occupied Palestine eh...
Feredea Power the Lady in Gold portrait of Adele is on display at the Neue Galerie in New York.
Wow: finally , a very smart persistent plan won the dsy.
There are a few oddities. Most countries have an absolute embargo on the export of antiquities. Even when privately owned. So I wonder why these were treated quite differently.
***** Most countries don't try to exterminate their Jewish populations. If you were Jewish, would you have wanted to go back to Austria after WWII? Should those who survived have been forced to leave behind what remained of their collections?
Of course I wouldn't have wanted to go back and yes they should have been forced to leave the art behind.
I can own things in most countries of the world but I am not permitted to export them from those countries and bring them here.
The US is also a strong believer in this concept.
You could not import Egyptian artifacts or things taken from Venice for example.
So whilst it may belong to them they would not normally be entitled to move it around the world. And that would also have been true if Hitler and the second world war had never happened.
***** that will change in the next 10 years
Can't protect Nazi looted art.
***** the difference here is that the art was commissoned by the family and it was relatively new at that time, these were not antiquities, it's like comparing apples and oranges.
Funny how our own personal tastes vary. Outside of the portraits, the Landscape is my fav and it went for the least! (It reminds of the East Coast of Canada). I'm not quite sold on the fact that the family did not want to keep them because they could not protect them... if they sold four of them, they could afford security??? BUT then who gets the painting in the next generation when it's value is so astronomical! Okay, just sorting out my own thoughts here! I get it now.
All four for under 300,000,000
thats insane.
all four would go for over a billion
today.(I have seen them in person...
They are absolutely stunning works.
What this story is really about is how to increase the value of a painting, or any work of art.
Austria can only blame itself for not having been open to a real negotiation. They thought they'd win and refused a compromise when Maria offered it to them
I would like to see the riches of the Americas returned to the indigenous peoples they were stolen from.
I completely agree. Have always hoped Spielberg would make a movie of The Trail of Tears. RIP dear heartbroken ancestors.
jackchorn now that would be a true sight of GOLD, I mean to behold.......
Oh SHUT UP
Spain might be a bit worried
I heard your family name mentioned. Is their story somewhere I can read. It's lively that you are trying to heal scars of the Shoah by rescuing their belongings.
dear mr schoenberg, there is a major mistake in the film: the lakes (e.g. attersee) are near SALZBURG ... NOT near strasbourg !!!!
There is a mistake in the video: Waldmüller is called a GERMAN painter. He was Austrian, not German.
So they're in new York now. For such important pictures to a nation, it just shows the Austrians just didn't want to pay for them.
Wow, just wow...
Those Austrian arbitrators saved the honor of a country that has no honor.
Speaking of heists: charging the equivalent of a villa to draw a portrait must surely qualify.
It's just that sense of entitlement makes them think they can steal and destroy whatever they want.
They are not pictures....they are PAINTINGS!!!
Hey Randy! I am not a lawyer, nor have any concept of the mazework you must of faced. My question is: Even though Adele left her paintings to the Belvedere, would there have been a martial law that allowed Ferdinand to be the sole heir of his wife's belongings, regardless of her wishes stated in the will? If so, then if the Austrian gov't was pushing her will as their claim to keep them, then they would have to acknowledge the law honouring that all her belongings first go to her husband and then his wishes had to be honoured. Were they ignoring that? Hope that made sense! Thanks! M.
Adele only asked in her will that her husband Ferdinand leave the paintings to the museum in his will. He didn't do that, because when he wrote his last will, he was in exile in Switzerland and all his property had been confiscated by the Nazis. In fact, when Adele died in 1925, her executor, Ferdinand's brother (and Maria's father) Gustav said that the paintings belonged to Ferdinand and that Adele's wishes were not binding, although he also said Ferdinand intended at that time to fulfill her wishes. Obviously, circumstances changed in 1938 when Ferdinand fled for his life and his property was taken away.
*****
Hi, I am a lawyer ( not in the USA ) and I was delighted to see how you worked out your tactics and strategy to win the case.
I am in the middle of watching the two parts of the deposition of Ms. Altmann and I have understood what a precise preparation was of yours to be able to present all specific details.
Working under a different jurisdiction, I am amazed how flexible a court can be.
I am dreaming of such judges you could have faced.
Your basic argument is and was that the last will of Adele Bloch-Bauer was a simple wish and I have to accept it. As did the arbitration panel.
( Sorry for my broken English.)
I like how Bela said at the end that Adele's was a wish, not law binding... seems to make it clearer to the novice such as myself. As well, very true how much you must be admired and respected for navigating the legal system and the law on different levels. I just saw the actual movie a couple of weeks ago and must say it held quite the emotional wallop... especially when Adele said good-bye to her parents. History is made of up our experiences of the times we live in, and am thankful that Adele's has been made known and saved for generations to come!
Austria and Austrians will never recover the honor that is lost from this episode in their history. Forever will they be known as a people of low character and devoid of integrity. That will cost them far, far more than the value of these works.
"The foundation of morality is to have done, once and for all, with lying."
- Thomas Henry Huxley
No they could have granted restitution when there was clear evidence to do so. They had a chance to make amends. They didn't.
I’m still waiting for Japan to be forced to pay reparations. Double standard on which lives are valued.
Randy Schoenberg sure looks a lot like his famous relative, Arnold Schoenberg.
What's the name of the British fellow who presides over the auction at Christies between 51:36 to 53:48?
The magnitude of ancient art of Egypt, Greece and Rome has been looted and is widely dispersed over the world. It needs to be returned. This is possible but not probable.
Where can I find all info on gustav Klimt’s ancestry? Family etc ?
Good job randolf without you she can't have the peace which she wanted to feel before leaving earth ..
How much were you paid while this case went on, and then how much of the settlement/sales were you paid?
Any relation to the aforementioned Arnold Schoenberg? Thank you for uploading this very valuable video. RIP to all the victims and Maria Altmann
Grandson
Arrogance of Austrian Government....this could of been so much more simply handled
NAZI-Austria. Hitler was born in Austria. They were sure no victims of the NAZIS because they were NAZIS.
I'm really surprised it took so long. When the Belvedere paid the Nazis for the paintings, it was an admission of sorts, that they were not the rightful owners, regardless of Adelle's will. Add to that the fact that had they filed for inheritance arbitration at the time they would surely have lost the case.
Another question I have is, how many works of art that were stolen by the Nazis but; were then re-stolen by the Soviets at the end of the war ( for reparations? ) are still in Moscow to this day and will probably not be returned to their rightful owners?
Fun fact: "Geier" means "vulture" in German.
Did the movie have it wrong? Why was the relationship between Maria Altman and the Austrian government not delved into more in this piece? From what was shown in the film, Maria was pissed at their callous treatment of her. It was the reason she wanted them out of Austria.
In vault still