Description
A chain of random events that started in 2010 triggered the ultimate discovery of a contentious art collection that Cornelius Gurlitt had kept hidden from public view for many years. The collection had been assembled by his father, Hildebrand Gurlitt, and included works by artists such as Picasso, Monet, Matisse and Otto Dix. Many of the pieces had been looted from the Jews during the dark days of Nazi rule.
Hildebrand Gurlitt was one quarter Jewish with anti-Nazi feeling, yet despite this his role in the trade of "degenerate art" allowed him to amass significant personal wealth.This well-researched book transports the reader back in time to the pre WWII era when Hildebrand Gurlitt first develops his interest in art. His role evolves from running a gallery to trading confiscated art, whilst building the legacy that was found at the home of his son many years later.
The chapters with information about those trying to retrieve pieces of art taken from their ancestors by the Nazis put the whole story into context, bringing into focus the extent of loss experienced by those who had so much taken away from them just because they were Jews. The current ongoing debates and legal wrangles concerning restitution of the looted art are addressed in detail while the heirs of the victims continue to fight to recover what was stolen from their families so many years ago.
Catherine Hickley has produced a remarkable piece of writing that will appeal to scholars as well as those with a curious interest in the provenance of art and Nazi history.
