**At Christie’s, the light of a tumultuous past: the little-known story of Largillierre’s “Portrait of a Woman”**
At the heart of one of the most emblematic spaces of the prestigious auction house Christie’s, Nicolas de Largillierre’s “Portrait of a Woman, Half-Length” sits majestically. This 18th-century painting, of rare elegance, captivates the eyes of visitors, drawn by the gentleness of the face of this mysterious lady with a graceful silhouette.
However, behind this serene appearance lies a turbulent history, mixing art, war and resistance. Indeed, if this painting is admired today for its artistic value, it owes its fame to a tragic episode in History, when it was immortalized in an emblematic photograph of the Second World War.
In May 1945, at the foot of the stairs of Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany, an American soldier, Anthony Terra Valim, holds the precious painting in his arms, surrounded by his comrades in arms, including the future director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Lieutenant James Rorimer. These men are part of the Monuments Men, this heroic unit responsible for recovering works of art stolen by the Nazis. It is through this photo that the “Portrait of a Lady” entered the collective consciousness, thus becoming a symbol of resistance and preservation of cultural heritage.
The tumultuous history of this work of art begins in the 1930s, when it was in the hands of Baron Philippe de Rothschild. Faced with the rise of the Nazi regime, the baron decided to protect some of his precious possessions, including the Largillierre painting. Unfortunately, the circumstances of the war led to the spoliation of his property by a Nazi team responsible for confiscating the property of the Jews.
This is how the “Portrait of a Woman” ended up at the Jeu de Paume Museum, marked with the sinister number “R437”, a painful testimony to its spoliation. It is thanks to the courageous action of Rose Valland, a resistance fighter and conservation officer at the museum, that the painting was found and saved from the clutches of the Nazis. Her determination and dedication helped to preserve many works of art, including the Largillierre painting, from destruction and looting.
Thus, behind the beauty and tranquility of this “Portrait of a Woman” lies a true saga, marked by the resilience, courage and determination of those who fought to preserve the artistic heritage of humanity. By contemplating this work, a whole section of history is revealed, recalling the dark hours of the past, but also the light of resistance and the preservation of culture.