Dead City (City on the Blue River)

"Dead City (City on the Blue River)" is an oil on panel painting by Egon Schiele created in 1911. It exemplifies Expressionism with its vivid, emotional depiction of an cityscape. The work has a complex provenance, having been owned by Viennese cabaret artist Fritz Grünbaum before his murder by Nazis. Its history has been marred by allegations of Nazi looting, leading to high-profile court battles and temporary confiscation, especially when loaned to a New York museum in 1998. The painting's journey reflects the tumultuous history of art looted during the Holocaust, raising questions about ownership and cultural restitution.