Cornelius Gurlitt, Son of Nazi-Era Art Hoarder, Dies at 81

Cornelius Gurlitt, son of a Nazi-era art collector who amassed a stunning collection of modernist masterpieces, died on Tuesday at age 81, the New York Times reports.

Gurlitt died in his Munich apartment, according to his spokesman, who did not provide further details on the cause of his death. Gurlitt underwent surgery for heart problems last year.

Gurlitt’s collection of some 1,280 artworks were seized by German police last year during a tax evasion investigation. The collection includes priceless paintings and sketches by Picasso, Matisse and Chagall. Much of it was classified as “degenerate” art by the Nazis.

[New York Times]