Washington Conference Principles on Nazi-Confiscated Art

The Washington Conference Principles on Nazi-Confiscated Art are international guidelines established in 1998 to address art illegally seized by the Nazis during the Holocaust. They encourage countries and museums to identify, locate, and return or compensate for artworks stolen or wrongfully taken between 1933 and 1945. The principles emphasize transparency, good-faith negotiations, and respect for owners’ rights, aiming to restore stolen cultural heritage to rightful heirs whenever possible. They are voluntary and serve as a moral framework to promote justice and preserve historical integrity regarding Nazi-looted art.