Cornelius Gurlitt (80) is causing global outrage in his refusal to return artwork allegedly claimed by the Nazis. Gurlitt's father, Hildebrand, was an art purveyor, who acquired many pieces obtained by the Nazis. Hildebrand kept many works for himself, which Gurlitt has inherited, some of which are in pristine condition.
The bounty (upward of 1,400 pieces of artwork) was discovered in Gurlitt's apartment in Germany during a routine tax inspection, in March of 2012.
The Jewish community is demanding that the stolen works are returned to their rightful owners, and are outraged that the authorities have been sluggish to react, reports BBC .
Just recently Gurlitt has broken his brooding silence over the matter. The Wall Street Journal quotes his most recent outburst:
"I will not speak with them, and I won't freely give anything back, no,no. . . when I'm dead they can do with them what they want."