Freedman Normand Friedland Achieves Historic Victory in Art Restitution for Marei von Saher
On October 2, 2026, Freedman Normand Friedland LLP (FNF) proudly announced a significant win for Marei von Saher, the sole heir of renowned Jewish art dealer Jacques Goudstikker. In a monumental move, the Dutch National Art Collection agreed to return the painting 'Fishermen by the Lakeshore' by the celebrated 17th-century artist Jan van Goyen, which was looted over eighty years ago by Hermann Göring, Adolf Hitler's second-in-command.
This return marks an important chapter in the ongoing narrative of art restitution, as it follows closely the firm’s recent success in Argentina, where FNF played a crucial role in securing the historical return of another Nazi-looted painting, marking Argentina's first such restitution. The painting by Giacomo Ceruti, 'Portrait of a Lady,' was also arranged to be returned under similar circumstances involving Göring, who had 'sold' the piece to an SS officer during World War II.
In regard to the van Goyen painting, the Dutch Minister of Education, Culture and Science has fully embraced the recommendations presented by the Netherlands' Restitutions Committee. They determined that the manner in which Göring obtained the artwork in June 1940 was part of a broader pattern of Nazi art theft that was cloaked in legal pretext. Over 1,300 works by Goudstikker were seized during the Nazi occupation, and this decision is part of a long-standing effort to restore justice for the victims of these injustices.
The victory of returning the van Goyen painting is a continuation of the efforts by FNF, which has represented Ms. von Saher at every stage of the restitution process. Previously, in 2006, the firm assisted in returning over 200 artworks from the Goudstikker collection to the family, with additional successes in 2013. This latest work is the third restitution from the Netherlands under the Washington Principles, which focus on the restitution of art taken unlawfully during World War II.
Marei von Saher, reflecting on this emotional milestone, shared, "After more than eighty years, this painting is finally being restored to my family. I am deeply grateful to the Restitutions Committee for its diligence, the Minister for following its advice, and my legal team, who have been steadfast in our fight for what is rightfully ours."
The recent Argentinian restitution also brought attention to the ongoing plight of Holocaust victims and their descendants. FNF's attorney, Yaél M. Weitz, who spearheaded the Argentine case, expressed hopeful sentiment, stating, "These historic restitutions should inspire others to ensure justice and fairness. Numerous artworks still remain unreturned from that dark time in history, with the von Saher family seeking the retrieval of countless pieces that rightfully belong to them."
Freedman Normand Friedland LLP, a litigation boutique with offices across New York, Miami, and Boston, specializes in complex commercial litigation and art law. The firm, through its experience and dedication, aims to recover art looted during the Holocaust and address disputes related to cultural property. Their commitment to social responsibility in restitution cases reflects a profound respect for the cultural and legal history surrounding the art industry.
For any individuals who may have information regarding the location of looted artworks from Goudstikker’s collection, FNF encourages them to come forward and assist in these critical efforts. Every recovered piece serves not only as an artistic restoration but as an act of acknowledgment and reparative justice, essential for healing the historical wounds of the past.
This return marks an important chapter in the ongoing narrative of art restitution, as it follows closely the firm’s recent success in Argentina, where FNF played a crucial role in securing the historical return of another Nazi-looted painting, marking Argentina's first such restitution. The painting by Giacomo Ceruti, 'Portrait of a Lady,' was also arranged to be returned under similar circumstances involving Göring, who had 'sold' the piece to an SS officer during World War II.
In regard to the van Goyen painting, the Dutch Minister of Education, Culture and Science has fully embraced the recommendations presented by the Netherlands' Restitutions Committee. They determined that the manner in which Göring obtained the artwork in June 1940 was part of a broader pattern of Nazi art theft that was cloaked in legal pretext. Over 1,300 works by Goudstikker were seized during the Nazi occupation, and this decision is part of a long-standing effort to restore justice for the victims of these injustices.
The victory of returning the van Goyen painting is a continuation of the efforts by FNF, which has represented Ms. von Saher at every stage of the restitution process. Previously, in 2006, the firm assisted in returning over 200 artworks from the Goudstikker collection to the family, with additional successes in 2013. This latest work is the third restitution from the Netherlands under the Washington Principles, which focus on the restitution of art taken unlawfully during World War II.
Marei von Saher, reflecting on this emotional milestone, shared, "After more than eighty years, this painting is finally being restored to my family. I am deeply grateful to the Restitutions Committee for its diligence, the Minister for following its advice, and my legal team, who have been steadfast in our fight for what is rightfully ours."
The recent Argentinian restitution also brought attention to the ongoing plight of Holocaust victims and their descendants. FNF's attorney, Yaél M. Weitz, who spearheaded the Argentine case, expressed hopeful sentiment, stating, "These historic restitutions should inspire others to ensure justice and fairness. Numerous artworks still remain unreturned from that dark time in history, with the von Saher family seeking the retrieval of countless pieces that rightfully belong to them."
Freedman Normand Friedland LLP, a litigation boutique with offices across New York, Miami, and Boston, specializes in complex commercial litigation and art law. The firm, through its experience and dedication, aims to recover art looted during the Holocaust and address disputes related to cultural property. Their commitment to social responsibility in restitution cases reflects a profound respect for the cultural and legal history surrounding the art industry.
For any individuals who may have information regarding the location of looted artworks from Goudstikker’s collection, FNF encourages them to come forward and assist in these critical efforts. Every recovered piece serves not only as an artistic restoration but as an act of acknowledgment and reparative justice, essential for healing the historical wounds of the past.
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