FBI Returns Nazi-Looted Monet Artwork to Heirs of Original Jewish Owners After More Than 80 Years

The FBI’s Art Crime Team, the FBI’s New York and New Orleans field offices, and the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana collaborated in returning Monet’s pastel on paper “Bord de Mer”(circa 1865) to the heirs of Adalbert “Bela” and Hilda Parlagi. The Palagi family purchased the artwork at an Austrian art auction in 1936 and it was part of the family’s art collection.

When the Parlagis fled Nazi-occupied Austria in 1938 they stored their belongings in a warehouse, but their property was seized by the Nazis in 1940. The Monet piece was later bought at an auction by a Nazi art dealer and its whereabouts became unknown in 1941.

The FBI launched an investigation into “Bird de Mer” in 2021 after receiving information from the Commission for Looted Art in Europe about the Nazi-looted artwork. When the Monet piece was listed for sale at a Houston-based art gallery in 2023, special agents of the FBI’s Art Crime Team and detectives from FBI New York’s Major Theft Task Force contacted the owners of the artwork, Kevin and Bridget Vita Schlamp, and explained the piece’s Nazi-related history.

The Schlamps, who did not previously know about the artwork’s ties to the Nazis, voluntarily surrendered the piece.

“While this Monet is undoubtedly valuable, its true worth lies in what it represents to the Parlagi family,” said James Dennehy, assistant director in charge of the FBI in New York City. “It’s a connection to their history, their loved ones, and a legacy that was nearly erased. The emotions tied to reclaiming something taken so brutally can’t be measured in dollars—it’s priceless.”

Lyonel Myrthil, special agent in charge of FBI New Orleans, said: “Nothing can excuse the hateful and heinous behavior of the past, but we are most grateful to the Schlamp family for their role in righting this wrong. We need and appreciate the ongoing support of the public and the art community at large to ensure there are more success stories like this in the future.”

Several other pieces of artwork stolen by the Nazis from the Parlagis in 1940 are still missing, including a signed Paul Signac watercolor from 1903 titled “Seine in Paris (Pont de Grenelle).” The FBI’s investigation to uncover the whereabouts of the remaining artworks is ongoing.