I'm just back from New York where there were three fabulous events for Vendome's just-published Lost Lives, Lost Art: Jewish Collectors, Nazi Art Theft, and the Quest for Justice by Melissa Müller and Monika Tatzkow.
The first event on Sunday, November 7, was held at Christie's auction house and featured a panel discussion with both authors; Howard Spiegler and Lawrence Kaye (two attorneys with the Art Law Group of Herrick, Feinstein LLP who specialize in art restitution cases); and Marei von Saher, heir of the Goudstikker collection (one of the stories detailed in the book). Monica Dugot of Christie's moderated the discussion.
The second event took place on Monday night to a full-capacity crowd at the lovely Neue Galerie on Fifth Avenue at 86th Street. Here's a photo of the authors with Elisabeth Sandmann, the book's German publisher, in front of Klimt's Adele Bloch-Bauer I (the painting also graces the cover of the book). Howard Spiegler acted as moderator, and the authors offered a fascinating discussion about the book with a focus on the Bloch-Bauer family.
The final New York event was on Tuesday, November 9 (the anniversary of Kristallnacht) at the 92nd Street Y, a renowned community and cultural center. In a discussion moderated by Amei Wallach, Melissa Müller was joined by Ronald Lauder, Lawrence Kaye and Charlène von Saher to a sold-out auditorium of 200+ people.
Thanks to all three wonderful institutions and everyone who contributed to these informative and fascinating events!
Melissa Müller travels next to Washington where she'll be speaking at the Austrian Embassy tomorrow (Friday, November 12) and at the Greater Washington Jewish Community Center on Sunday, November 14.
