INQUISITR.COM / News & Politics

Adolf Hitler Watercolor Sold To Buyer From Middle East

By Amanda Lager
Published on: 03:01 PST, Nov 24, 2014

A watercolor believed to have been painted by Adolf Hitler sold at auction in Germany on Saturday. The painting, which depicts an old city hall in Munich, sold for about $162,000 (130,000 Euros). The watercolor also included an original bill of sale dated September 25, 1916 and a signed letter from Albert Bormann, brother of Martin Bormann, who was Hitler’s private secretary.

According to the Associated Press, a buyer from the Middle East purchased the watercolor. The watercolor was held at the Weider auction house in Nuremberg. Its director, Kathrin Weidler, said that bidders represented four different continents. She did not identify the eventual buyer of Hitler’s work.

The watercolor was put up for sale by a pair of elderly sisters. They received the painting from their grandfather, who purchased it shortly after the creation of the painting. The auction house believes that the watercolor originates from around 1914. Between 1905 and 1920, Hitler tried to make a living as a struggling artist. Hitler is also believed to have created about 2,000 pieces of art.

An owner of the work in Nazi-era Germany sent the painting to Hitler’s office to inquire about its origins. Hitler’s adjutant, Albert Bormann, replied with a letter that says the watercolor appears to be “one of the works of the Fuehrer.” Bormann did not date his letter, which was included in the auction.

“Standesamt und Altes Rathaus Muenchen (Civil Registry Office and Old Town Hall of Munich)” is the title of the painting, says NBC News. They also report that Weidler said that the vendors would donate around 10 percent of proceeds to a charity for disabled children. Any other complaints about the sales of Nazi-era paintings should be directed to the actual sellers, Weidler added. The paintings are not known for their artistic merit, but the bill of sale dated from 1916 contributed to the sales figures much higher than the original estimate.

Hitler’s artwork surfaces from time to time. Earlier this year, the Inquisitr reported that this artwork was expected to bring in a five-figure sum. Other artworks by Adolf Hitler are owned by the U.S. government, which seized many works as the Army swept through Europe at the end of World War II.

Check out the preview of the watercolor below before it went to auction.

[Photo Source: UK Daily Mail and Wikipedia]

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