Provenance and collection research

Provenance and collection research at the Friedenstein Foundation Gotha has the task of reconstructing the multifaceted history of the collections.

The museum's holdings look back on almost 400 years of growth. During this time, numerous dukes, duchesses and other protagonists have left their mark. During this time, however, objects have also found their way into our collections in ways that need to be critically scrutinised. 

In addition, the museum suffered painful losses in the 20th century: numerous works were removed due to theft, war, illegal sales and other circumstances.
 
The aim of provenance and collection research is to trace a continuum and restore parts of it. In this way, a scientific and legal foundation is laid for research and for the restitution of unlawfully removed artworks. 

At the same time, the stories of those approaches that can be located in the contexts of injustice of the past two centuries will be heard and researched. This fulfils the aspiration of the city of Gotha and the Foundation for fair and equitable solutions in the spirit of the Gotha Manifesto (2002), which is based on the Washington Principles and the subsequent Joint Declaration of the Federal Government, the federal states and municipal umbrella organisations.

Our approach is characterised by transparency and a collegial and trusting dialogue with museums, auction houses and private individuals.
Our focus is on the obligation to act ethically together.