- because of royalties from "Mein Kampf", and from the use of his portrait on Federal
stamps, as well as generous donations and other financial resources, Hitler was
able to purchase any art work that he liked.
Price, Billy F.: Adolf Hitler as Painter and Drawer, Gallant, Switzerland, 1983, p.11
- confiscated collections from German and Austrian Jews were among the first
acquisitions for the musem. What was possible earlier in Germany became formally legal in
Austria in November 1938. From then on the "Reichsstatthalter" (as the Austria provincial
government was called), could take possession of the "property of persons or associations of
persons supporting aims detrimental to the people or state" for the benefit of the State of
Austria. (Paper of Regulations for the State of Austria, Item 167 No.589)
Because of the so-called
"Führer's proviso", Hitler himself determined the use of the confiscated art objects.
- best items from the Alphonse Rothschild collection were chosen for the museum in Linz.
- after WW2 started, works were taken out of Warsaw and Krakow
- there were five institutions to deal with art collection in France.
- pictures valued at 15 Million Dutch Guilders were bought in Holland until the end of
1940.
- purchases in Italy became so extensive that the Italian ministry felt compelled to pass a
new law prohibiting the export of art works.
- in 1943/44 , 3000 paintings worth 150 million Reichsmark, despite all the financial burdens
of the war, were purchased for the projected Art Museum in Linz.