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"Why Germany has the Prussian blues" in Apollo Magazine

Posted by Nicholas O'Donnell on January 22, 2023 at 2:06 PM

I recently tackled the public discussion in Germany about whether to rename the Stiftung Preussischer Kulturbesitz, the foundation that oversees the State Museums of Berlin and some of the most remarkable collections in the world. Readers of the Art Law Report will know this name well, the SPK is the defendant in the lawsuit brought by my clients for the restitution of the Welfenschatz, or Guelphe Treasure, that the Supreme Court heard in 2020. While I've never been shy about criticizing the SPK about its approach in our our case (which is on appeal, briefs here and here), this piece addresses a different question. Namely, what place does the name "Prussia" have in the 21st century? For anyone like me who still thinks about the historical sliding doors of the Grossdeutschelösung and Kleindeutschelösungdebate of the 19th century about how to unite the German-speaking states and duchies, this piece is for you.

 

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Topics: Holy Roman Empire, Prussia, "Elephant Mural", Martin Luther, Stiftung Preussischer Kulturbesitz, Sueddeutsche Zeitung, Hermann Goering, Der Spiegel, Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation, Andy Warhol, Welfenschatz, Humboldt Forum, C. Montgomery Burns, Claudia Roth, Siam, Sigismund of Luxembourg, Friedrich VI, Hohenzollern, Brandenburg, Kaliningrad, Augustus II the Strong, Nefertiti, Pergamon Altar, Annalena Bärbock, Monika Grütters, Götz Aly, Joseph Beuys, Königsberg, Nazism, Konrad Adenauer, Hermann Parzinger, Luf Boat, Bild

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About the Blog


The Art Law Report provides timely updates and commentary on legal issues in the museum and visual arts communities. It is authored by Nicholas M. O'Donnell, partner in our Art & Museum Law Practice.

The material on this site is for general information only and is not legal advice. No liability is accepted for any loss or damage which may result from reliance on it. Always consult a qualified lawyer about a specific legal problem.

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