In 1990 and 1994, laws were passed in order to deal with cultural property losses in
the Soviet Occupation Zone (1945–1949) and in the German Democratic Republic
(1949–1990). Yet until 2010, there had been little relevant literature and debate on
cultural institutions’ unlawful accessions during the Soviet Occupation and GDR
period. By summarizing inquiries, declarations, expert opinions, coalition
agreements, statements and conference proceedings, the article gives a chronological
overview (2010–2022) of political and professional opinion formation on provenance
research with regard to cultural property losses between 1945 and 1990. The survey
illustrates the lengthy process that led to the funding of historical context
research by the German Lost Art Foundation. It points out desiderata and sets goals
for the continuation of basic research and for urgently needed project funding –
especially object-related provenance research – hopefully encouraging protagonists
from politics, culture and the humanities to actively address this pressing issue
again. This is not only important for answering main ethical questions in cultural
institutions (like museums, libraries, archives, universities) of the former GDR but
seems to be also relevant for provenance research in public collections all over
Germany and beyond.