27.01.2026
Alte Nationalgalerie
The painting “Eleonore von Wilke” by Lovis Corinth from the collection of the Alte Nationalgalerie has been returned to the museum as a donation following its restitution to the heirs Ismar and Käthe Littmann. It will continue to be on display there after the Corinth exhibition.
Ismar Littmann (1878–1934), a lawyer and notary in Breslau, built up a significant art collection in the 1920s with works by Lovis Corinth, Max Pechstein, Erich Heckel, Otto Mueller, Max Liebermann, and others. With the rise to power of the National Socialists, his professional and personal situation deteriorated dramatically. After attempting suicide at the end of 1933, Littmann died on September 23, 1934, as a result of his injuries.
After his death, the family fell into severe financial hardship. In the years that followed, his widow Käthe Littmann and their son Hans were forced to sell off significant parts of the collection. The painting “Eleonore von Wilke” was among these works. Due to gaps in the provenance, it was long unclear whether this was a loss due to persecution. In the meantime, however, sufficient evidence has been gathered to justify restitution to the heirs.
Anette Hüsch, director of the Alte Nationalgalerie, emphasizes the significance of the donation for the museum: "We are very grateful to the heirs of Ismar and Käthe Littmann for donating the painting ‘Eleonore von Wilke’ to the Alte Nationalgalerie. Provenance research is an important topic for us, which we keep alive in publications, exhibitions, and permanent audio guide tracks. This donation following restitution is of particular significance for the Alte Nationalgalerie and will be kept alive accordingly."
