The World Jewish Congress (WJC) and The Weinstein Company have announced that Academy Award winner Helen Mirren will receive the WJC Recognition Award for her role in the acclaimed film Woman in Gold, and for helping to educate the public about the issue of Nazi-looted art.

WJC President Ronald S. Lauder will present Mirren with the inaugural award at a special event in New York later this year, on a date to be determined. She will be honoured for her portrayal of Maria Altmann, an Austrian-American woman who made headlines in 2006 by winning her legal battle against the Austrian government to reclaim five Gustav Klimt paintings, among them the famous Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I, nicknamed Woman in Gold.

In 1938, the painting was among the works taken from their rightful owner, Adele’s widower Ferdinand, because he was Jewish. Following its restitution to Maria Altmann in 2006, it was acquired by Ronald Lauder and now hangs at the Neue Galerie in Manhattan.

“Being a part of this film and preserving Maria Altmann’s legacy has been a truly exceptional experience from the start,” said Mirren. “I am utterly moved to be receiving an award from the World Jewish Congress, an organisation that does such important work all over the globe in advocating for Jewish rights.”