NEW YORK.- The painting above was looted from the Jewish art collector Martin Heidemann, who was killed in Bergen-Belsen. His heirs have not yet been found and the painting remains in the Nederlands Kunstbezit-collectie (the Dutch State Collection or NK collection). In cooperation with the Central Jewish Board (CJO) of the Netherlands, the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany has been urging the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science to abolish all deadlines for art claims. This effort is part of the Claims Conference/World Jewish Restitution Organization Looted Art and Cultural Property Initiative.

On April 3, 2007, Ronald Plasterk, the Minister of Education, Culture, and Science of the Netherlands, sent a letter to the Dutch Parliament stating that, although the pro-active attempt to find the original owners (or their heirs) of works of art in the specific collection called the Nederlands Kunstbezit-collectie (the Dutch State Collection or NK collection) would end on April 4, 2007, claimants may continue to apply for the restitution of art objects held by the Government of the Netherlands.

Applications for restitution may be sent by letter to:
The Minister of Education, Culture, and Science
Postbus 16375
2500 BJ Den Haag
The Netherlands

The State will continue to be guided by the recommendations of the Restitutions Committee, a team of outside independent experts. An announcement to this effect has now been posted on the website of the Ministry.