Pronunciation: [ˈɔːltman] (IPA) 
The spelling of the name "Altmann" can be a bit tricky to decipher using traditional English pronunciation rules. In IPA phonetic transcription, it would be written as /ˈɑltmən/, which highlights the silent "n" at the end and the emphasis on the first syllable. Despite its unusual spelling, "Altmann" is actually a relatively common surname in Germany and Austria, with various possible meanings based on its etymology.
There are two main definitions for the term "Altmann":
1. Proper noun:
Altmann is a German or Jewish-German surname that originated from Middle High German word "alt" meaning "old" and "mann" meaning "man." It is a patronymic name used to denote the "son of Altmann" or "descendant of Altmann." The surname is commonly found among individuals of German or Jewish-German heritage. It may refer to a specific family or be used as a generic surname by different families.
2. Historical term:
"Altmann" can also refer to Maria Altmann (1916-2011), an Austrian-American Jewish refugee and art restitution advocate. She was notable for her successful legal battle to reclaim several famous paintings stolen by the Nazis from her family during World War II. One of the most prominent cases was the recovery of Gustav Klimt's renowned painting, "Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I," also known as "The Woman in Gold."
Maria Altmann's case brought significant attention to the art restitution and repatriation movement, highlighting the importance of returning stolen art to its rightful owners or their heirs. Her relentless pursuit of justice changed the landscape of art restitution law and brought international awareness to the issue. Maria Altmann's story was further popularized by the 2015 film "Woman in Gold," starring Helen Mirren as Maria Altmann.
The word "Altmann" is of German origin. It is a combination of the German elements "alt", meaning "old", and "mann", meaning "man" or "person". As a German surname, it likely originated as a descriptive name for someone of old age or as a patronymic surname denoting someone's ancestry from an older person.
