Nazi Stolen Art Featured In: "The Woman Who Heard Color" by Kelly Jones

Published by:  Berkley Trade

Pages:  400

Release Date:  October 4, 2011

Book Summary :

Lauren O'Farrell is an "art detective" who made it her mission to retrieve invaluable works stolen by the Nazis during the darkest days of World War II. Her quest leads her to the Manhattan apartment of elderly Isabella Fletcher, a woman who lives in the shadow of a terrible history-years ago her mother was rumored to have collaborated with the Nazis.

But as Isabella reveals the events of her mother's life, Lauren finds herself immersed in an amazing story of courage and secrecy as she discovers the extraordinary truth about a priceless piece of art that may have survived the war and the enduring relationship between a mother and a daughter.



The Dame's Thoughts :

Why did I notice this book?  

The cover caught me before I knew what hit me!  Gorgeous dress, beautiful pose and the hand on her hair just screams feminity (meaning a good women's story).

Why would I want to read it?

The storyline is about a young woman art "detective" or investigator who tracks stolen, priceless art pieces.  I particularly like exposing  the Nazi aspect...those art-destructive beasts.  And, it sounds like an interesting story all the way around.

Adjunct story:

The Nazi's hid the stolen art works taken from museums, castles and homes in caves.  Much of the art was either destroyed by war or the damp and caustic conditions of the caves.  The canvases in particular were ripped from their frames, for the most part, rolled and stuffed in crates and boxes with other things.  So much of the art masterpieces were either lost or found themselves in the hands and homes of the cowardly, devious Nazi's who ran from Germany after the War.  The art world scholars and investigators are still trying to locate many of the masterpieces of fine art today.

Children and grandchildren of concentration camp family members have begun the search, as well, for priceless art pieces they know were in their relative's homes prior to the Nazi take over in major cities. 

We know, however, that a people so devoid of regard for human life, might also toss aside precious works of art for spite, or simply for convenience. 

Read more about this continuing search at: 

http://www.archives.gov/research/holocaust/records-and-research/documenting-nazi-plunder-of-european-art.html

This Research Center considers that the Nazi's looted and stole more that 100,000 piece of art from museums.   There is a picture on this site of artworks in huge crates and wrapped smaller packages stacked in what appears to be heights of over 12-14 ft. along side walls of an occupied cathedral.

Example of an Impressionist Masterpiece kept in a cave.

I believe this is a Manet.

It interests me to read this novel of art and the Nazi horrors, but there's no comparison to researching the actual facts surround the story.

Deborah/TheBookishDame