Museum of Fine Art Boston
Restoring a Family Legacy - The Rothschild Collection
an exhibit not to miss while visiting Boston March 1st - July 5th
The Rothschild family collection was one of the most prized collections the Nazis confiscated during WWII. The Nazis stole more than 3,500 works of art and many belonging to the Rothchild family. Many of these pieces were recovered from the salt mines across Germany by the allied forces special unit as depicted in the movie "Monuments Men". During WWII artwork and family heirlooms from museums and wealthy jewish families were among Hitlers wish list. An exhibition now features many of these artifacts that have been recovered. The MFA Boston showcases nearly 80 objects that were recovered and personally meaningful to the Rothschild family.
Above: Top, left: Carnet de bal, probably English, about 1765. Agate, gold, enamel. Gift of the heirs of Bettina Looram de Rothschild. Top, right: Probably by John and George Hannett, Bonbonniere mounted with a timepiece, about 1765. Agate and gold. Gift of the heirs of Bettina Looram de Rothschild. Bottom, left: Marked by Jean-Baptiste Bertin,Snuff box, about 1770. Gold, enamel decoration. Gift of the heirs of Bettina Looram de Rothschild. Bottom, right:Magnifying glass, English, about 1765. Gold, agate, diamonds. Gift of the heirs of Bettina Looram de Rothschild.
Rothschild heir Bettina Burr with a 1925 portrait of her grandmother Clarice de Rothschild by the artist de Laszlo at the exhibit in Boston (Courtesy of Sean Proctor of Boston Globe) |