University of Oklahoma to return painting stolen by Nazis

The University of Oklahoma is returning a painting stolen by Nazis to its rightful owners, The New York Times reported on Tuesday.

The settlement marks an important ending to a long-running dispute between Léone Meyer and the University of Oklahoma. The school had previously opposed the move, claiming rightful ownership after a donation from the painting’s last owners.

It took a lawsuit and years of negotiations to bring the painting back to Léone Meyer, daughter of the painting’s original owner, Raoul Meyer. The 19th century piece by impressionist Camille Pissarro, known as “La Bergère,” or “Shepherdess Bringing in Sheep,” was part of the French businessman’s art collection during World War II when it was looted by German forces in Paris.

After changing hands multiple times over the following decades, the painting is finally being returned to the Meyer family in Paris. 

Despite a $1.5 million appraisal value, Meyer will not be restricting the artwork to the confines of her own home. She has agreed to allow the painting to rotate between museums indefinitely.

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