The story goes like this. A man flees the Nazi's leaving behind his art collection, which is then looted by the Nazi's. He dies in an accident aboard the ship he is fleeing in. After the war, the collection is returned to the Dutch government in expectation that they will be returned to the rightful owners. Only the government keeps them, even after repeated claims are made by the man's widow. Finally, an investigative reporter writes an expose on this travesty, and much later the government gives back a portion of the collection.

That's it in a nutshell.

The man was Jacques Goudstikker. He was a reknown Jewish art collector and dealer who had amassed a collection of 1,400 remarkable works of art. (Goudstikker favored Dutch Old Masters.) His wife, Desi, battled the Dutch government over the collection for several years before her death, and the death of their son,Eduard, who was only one when his father died.
Then journalist Pieter den Hollander wrote his book, De zaak Goudstikker (The Goudstikker Case), which must have embarrassed and galvanized the Dutch government into creating a review committee. The result was that finally the government returned 202 paintings to Goudstikker's only heir, his daughter-in-law, Marei von Saher. Ta-da!

You think that's the end of the story? If so, you would be wrong. Because Marei has taken this amazing legacy, or at least 40 pieces of the collection, and is traveling the country, sharing the art, the triumph, the story with others. And, as fortune would have it, she is sharing it with San Antonio at the McNay Art Museum. You can see the exhibition entitled "Reclaimed: Paintings from the Collection of Jacques Goudstikker" at the McNay through January 10,2010.

Now, a bit on the McNay.

McNay Art Museum is tucked away behind a tall screen of shrubs on the edge of Alamo Heights and Terrell Hills . The museum was once
the home of Marion Koogler McNay. In 1954 McNay bequeathed the Spanish Colonial Revival-syle home along with the 23 acres it stands on, and the first museum of of modern art in Texas was created.
Yes, the McNay has been around for quite some time, and it has gone through a lot of transition. The San Antonio Art Instute was once housed in a cold, contemporary building located directly behind the former residence from 1988 until its banckruptcy in 1992.

That was then, this is now, so to speak.
Last year the McNay opened after a renovation and addition of a new wing, the Stieren Center. At first approach you might think the new addition resembles a concrete cinder block handball court. But, just put that car in park, and take a look inside.

The permanent collection of 19th and 20th century art includes European and American paintings and sculpture by Van Gogh, Rodin, Matisse, Picasso, Hopper, O'Keefe, Sloan and Hartley. The Oppenheimer Collection," only public collection of its kind in south Texas" is an outstanding exhibition of Medieval art. Also look for works by Cassatt, Goya, Diego Rivera, Jasper Johns, Toulouse-Lautrec, Winslow Homer and Cy Twombly. The McNay also houses a collection of 2,000 rare books - most relate to theatre arts.
Visiting exhibits, like the Goudstikker collection are housed in the Stieren Center, so the permanent collection ...is on view permanently.

The McNay also has Acoustiguide cell-phone tours, which are way cool and free with admission; TAG - teens become volunteer art guides on Thursday nights, when admission is free; a library and teacher resource center; a nice gift shop, and plenty of free parking. The grounds are lovely, and restful...a good place to take a moment, or a picnic, and reflect on the whole experience. - Pay no attention to the traffic-cone orange, 25-ft tall, piece of modern 'art' on the front lawn. One man's Picasso is another man's puzzlement.

The following images were provided by The Jewish Museum and McNay Museum:
- Pietro Antonio Rotari (1707-1762), Young Woman with Bonnet and White Shawl, Holding a Book, Known as "The Virtuous Girl," oil on canvas. Marei von Saher, the heir of Jacques Goudstikker.
- Master of the Mansi Magdalene (c. 1510-30), St. Mary Magdalene, oil on panel. Marei von Saher, the heir of Jacques Goudstikker.

Jacques Goudstikker's little black book which held a complete inventory of his collection was instrumental in reclaiming his art. See into this book courtesy of the Jewish Museum. - The McNay will also have an interactive screen of the notebook so visitors can flip through its pages.

1 Comments

M C Drew said:

Those paintings are by some of the world's finest artists! San Antonio is very fortunate to have them on display. The "Dutch Old Masters" are breathtaking in their photo quality realism. They were head and shoulders above the so-called "modern artists"!

October 13, 2009 6:46 PM

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