ABSTRACT
The German system of looting in the Netherlands during the Second World War was remarkably systematic. It was mostly Jews who fell victim to the greed of the German occupiers. The museums in the Netherlands were for the most part left intact, although there have been a few exceptions. Most prominent in the gang of art buyers were art dealers representing Hitler and Reichsmarschall Goring. Since 1940 the Netherlands government in exile had warned repeatedly against the buying of goods and securities that were presumably looted. Besides warnings not to buy goods that could be expected to have been looted, the Dutch government in London had prepared laws to restitute looted possessions to their lawful owners. Most important was law E 100, Besluit herstel rechtsverkeer, issued in September 1944. In light of the circumstances, the repatriation of art can be considered rather successful, despite the fact that the famous drawings of the Koenigs collection are still missing.
