Nicolas Rousseau painting owner, Nazi-looted French painting put on display

 Nicolas Rousseau painting owner, Nazi-looted French painting put on display.

A 19th-century oil painting stolen from occupied France during World War II has gone on display in a bid to trace its rightful owners after being returned by the son of the German soldier who took it on orders from above.

After 76 years in Germany, the small untitled artwork by French painter Nicolas Rousseau is back in France and exhibited at the World Centre for Peace, Liberty and Human Rights in the northeastern town of Verdun.

Next to it hangs a sign: "If you recognise the landscape or have any information about this painting, we would be grateful if you would let us know."

Philippe Hansch, the centre's head, went to fetch the painting from Berlin at the beginning of August and brought it back by car.

For the last fortnight, it has hung in the lobby of the centre, which receives around 60,000 visitors a year, in the hope it will nudge someone's memory and lead the painting back to its owners or their heirs.

"We wanted it to be immediately accessible to visitors when they walk in and free of charge," Hansch said.

"There's pride and emotion, a lot of happiness, but also a responsibility," he added.

In the artwork, a figure sits on a river bank under cloudy skies, surrounded by tall trees and with a village off in the distance.

Rousseau was a member of the Barbizon school of painters, who embraced naturalism in art.

According to Hansch, its true value goes far beyond its market value of 3,000 to 5,000 euros ($3,580 to $5,970).