'Woman Sitting in an Armchair ' will be returned to the descendants of art dealer Paul Rosenberg , from whom it was taken by the Nazis . Germany has signed an agreement to return to its rightful owner an Henri Matisse painting that was seized under Nazi rule . Matisse 's 'Woman Sitting in an Armchair ' was part of a trove of artworks found in the apartment of late collector Cornelius Gurlitt . Experts say the painting was taken from art dealer Paul Rosenberg and rightfully belongs to his descendants . Culture Minister Monika Gruetters ' office confirmed a report in German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung today that she signed the agreement . A similar agreement was signed last week for a painting by Max Liebermann . Both agreements must be approved by a Munich court handling Gurlitt 's inheritance . A Swiss museum that accepted Gurlitt 's bequest of his collection has promised to ensure any Nazi-looted pieces are returned to their Jewish owners ' heirs . Around 250 artworks were found in Gurlitt 's Salzburg property . Switzerland 's Kunstmuseum Bern inherited the collection . Some 1,280 others found in Gurlitt 's apartment in Munich . While some of the Munich works were already known , it was the first look for many at the art Gurlitt kept in the house he owned in Austria . It includes works by Breughel , Monet , Renoir and Picasso . Gurlitt inherited much of the art from his father , who in the 1930s helped the Nazis sell art they considered 'degenerate ' to buyers outside of Germany for cash . Some of the works — including Impressionist and modern masterpieces — had been seized by the Nazis from museums , while others were stolen or bought for a pittance from Jewish collectors who were forced to sell . Gurlitt died in May last year at age 81 , designating the Swiss museum as his sole heir .
'Woman Sitting in an Armchair ' was held by the now famous late collector . When he died a treasure trove of more than 1,500 works was uncovered . Latest to be returned belongs to descendants of art dealer Max Liebermann . Similar agreement was signed last week for painting by Paul Rosenberg . Gurlitt 's father helped Nazis sell 'degenerate ' art outside Germany for cash .