"Infamous Hitler-Looted Painting Up for Auction"

A painting by Frans Francken the Younger, believed to have been stolen by the Nazis, is set to be sold at auction. Titled "Sermon on the Mount," the 17th-century artwork was once owned by Adolf Hitler and was later looted during the chaotic final days of World War II. Despite extensive research, the prewar owner of the painting remains unknown, leaving the rightful heirs unable to be identified. Provenance research has become more advanced in recent years, but cases like this highlight the challenges of tracing the ownership history of looted art, particularly in the context of the Holocaust. The auction house hopes that a public institution or museum will purchase the painting to raise awareness and ensure its accessibility.