TELLURIDE, Colorado — “I’m the last of the Mohicans,” ruminates David Cassirer from the dining room of his modest frontier-style house in the mountains. David is the last surviving heir of the Nazi-looted Camille Pissarro painting “Rue Saint-Honoré, après midi, effet de Pluie” (1897), the subject of a serpentine legal case that has wound up and down the American court system for the last 25 years. In the decades since his family discovered the painting in the possession of the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum in Madrid, Spain, David’s father, mother, and sister have all passed away. David has no children.
In late March, I drove four hours through the raw, untouched New Mexico and Colorado landscape to meet David at his home near Telluride.
“It’s my style to get away from it all,” he said, gesturing to the lakes and mountains visible from a window. While most of the house has the feel of any standard American abode, heirloom objects from his family’s past dot every room. “Having these things around connects me spiritually, a little bit, to Lily,” David says, referring to his grandmother, Lily Cassirer.
Lily’s leather steamship trunk, a reminder of her escape from Nazi-occupied Europe to the United States, sits below a bedroom window. An imposing hand-carved wood China cabinet is in the living room, a piece of furniture in which David and his sister used to get into trouble for hiding inside. There’s also a 16th-century chest, a turned wooden lamp, and a Phillip Harth bronze sculpture of a walking leopard.
David is a former jazz pianist, arranger, and conductor. He was something of a musical prodigy while growing up in Cleveland and left home as a teenager to study music in Boston. He was a member of a popular jazz trio, performed regularly on television, and entertained America’s elite. However, his father Claude Cassirer, a Holocaust survivor and the heir of the illustrious publishing house and art gallery Kunst and Künstler in Berlin, never approved.
“My father went to his grave at almost 90 years old, believing that the whole idea of pursuing [piano] was to avoid work. I was a big disappointment,” he said.
Towards the end of his father’s life, however, the two men bonded in their mutual fight for the Pissarro painting.
David knows exactly what he will do with the proceeds from the sale of the painting, estimated at $60 million, if it ever comes to fruition. Although a sizable portion of the funds would go to repaying the legal fees for the case, he wants to establish a nonprofit to assist others in recovering their Holocaust looted artwork — a foundation David describes as “my father’s mission.” Claude wanted the funds “available to other people that are similarly situated, so they won’t have to go through 25 years of what we did,” David explained.
On multiple occasions in the last quarter century, the case seemed dead in the water. But like Lazarus, it has risen yet again. Advocacy efforts have led to new laws at the state and federal levels.
“One of the ways we’ve helped,” said David, “is to do things like persuade people … My father would be proud of the various precedents that this case has set, that others are able to cite it in their own cases.”
In March, the United States Supreme Court remanded the case back to California’s 9th Circuit Court of Appeals — the second time America’s highest court has done so — asking it to reconsider the case within the framework of California’s recent Assembly Bill (AB) 2867. Formulated specifically in response to the shocking twists and turns of the Cassirers’ multi-decade quest to recover the Pissarro, AB 2867 widened the scope and timeframe of recovery claims on artwork and personal property lost due to persecution, whether in the Holocaust or otherwise. It was signed into effect by Governor Gavin Newsom in September 2024.
Now, in a significant win for David and his team, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals remanded the case back to US District Judge John Walter on April 30 for a new ruling.
Although David and his family once believed they had two smoking guns — an insurance photograph showing “Rue Saint-Honoré” hanging proudly over the velvet sofa in the parlor of their Berlin apartment and the remnants of a label on the back of the painting that shows the partial name and address of their family’s gallery, they were not enough to restitute the painting.
Restitution cases are often less about the painting and the merits of the case, than about legal statutes, the lack thereof, or in this case, something known as “choice of law,” whether a foreign sovereign nation can be sued in US Courts.
The recent Supreme Court hearing in 2022 that resulted in a unanimous 9-0 decision to remand the case back to the 9th Circuit has brought renewed attention to the long-standing legal battle over the ownership of the painting “Rue Saint-Honoré.” Justice Stephen Breyer lightened the mood during the hearing with a joke about the beauty of the painting, showing a moment of levity in the midst of a serious legal dispute.
The Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum has been adamant about retaining ownership of the artwork, despite the changing landscape of art restitution and the moral implications of holding onto Nazi-looted art. Their recent exhibition, “Proust and the Artists,” prominently features “Rue Saint-Honoré,” which has sparked criticism from the Cassirers’ lawyers. They see the museum’s display of the painting as a misguided attempt to assert ownership over stolen art and a masterpiece of French Impressionism looted by the Nazis.
The Cassirer family, once prominent in Berlin before World War II, had to flee their home in 1939 due to the growing Nazi threat. They left behind prized possessions, including “Rue Saint-Honoré,” which was taken from them by the Nazis. The painting exchanged hands multiple times, eventually ending up in the possession of the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum.
David Cassirer, a descendant of the family, has been at the forefront of the legal battle to reclaim the painting. His father, Claude, survived harrowing experiences during World War II and eventually started a new life in America. Claude became a successful photographer and met his wife, Beverly, while traveling between Cleveland and New York City.
The discovery of “Rue Saint-Honoré” in an art book in 1999 reignited the Cassirer family’s fight for restitution. The legal battle has spanned decades, with David Cassirer remaining steadfast in his pursuit of justice for his family and the memory of those who suffered during the Holocaust.
For David, the case is about more than just reclaiming a painting. It is a way to honor the stories of those who lived through fascism and genocide, giving a voice to those who were silenced by the atrocities of the past. As he continues to fight for restitution, David remains committed to preserving the memory of his family and the countless others who were impacted by the horrors of the Holocaust.
When we gaze upon a beautiful piece of art, it is easy to get lost in the intricate details and the emotions it evokes. However, it is important to remember the history behind the artwork and the stories of the people who were once its true owners. This adds a layer of complexity to our appreciation of art, as we are reminded of the often dark and troubling pasts associated with many pieces in museums and galleries.
It is a little easier to take in this information when we are surrounded by the beauty of the art itself. The juxtaposition of the stunning visuals with the somber history behind its acquisition creates a sense of bittersweetness that is both thought-provoking and poignant. We are able to appreciate the art for its aesthetic value while also acknowledging the injustices that may have occurred in its past.
By telling the stories of how these pieces were taken from their original owners, we are able to shed light on the darker aspects of art history. Whether it be through theft, looting, or colonization, many artworks have been separated from their rightful owners and placed in museums or private collections. This raises important questions about ownership, restitution, and the ethics of displaying art with contentious provenance.
As we continue to learn more about the histories of art pieces, it is crucial that we engage in conversations about restitution and reparations for stolen or looted artworks. By acknowledging the past injustices associated with these pieces, we can work towards a more ethical and equitable approach to displaying and appreciating art.
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the constant demands of work, family, and social obligations. Many people find themselves feeling burnt out and exhausted, struggling to find time for self-care and relaxation. This is where the practice of mindfulness can be particularly helpful.
Mindfulness is a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations. It involves paying attention to the here and now, without judgment or attachment to the past or future. By cultivating mindfulness, individuals can learn to better manage stress, anxiety, and other negative emotions, leading to improved overall well-being.
There are many ways to incorporate mindfulness into daily life. One popular technique is mindfulness meditation, where individuals sit quietly and focus on their breath or a specific aspect of their experience. This practice can help calm the mind, reduce distractions, and increase awareness of one’s thoughts and feelings. Other mindfulness practices include mindful eating, walking, and even driving, where individuals focus on the sensations and experiences of each moment.
Research has shown that regular mindfulness practice can have a number of benefits for mental and physical health. Studies have found that mindfulness can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, as well as improve sleep quality and cognitive function. It can also help individuals develop greater self-awareness, emotional regulation, and empathy, leading to stronger relationships and a greater sense of fulfillment.
In addition to its individual benefits, mindfulness can also have a positive impact on society as a whole. By cultivating mindfulness, individuals can become more compassionate, empathetic, and understanding towards others. This can lead to greater harmony and cooperation in communities, workplaces, and other social settings.
Overall, mindfulness is a powerful tool for promoting well-being and happiness in today’s busy world. By incorporating mindfulness into our daily lives, we can learn to better manage stress, improve our relationships, and cultivate a greater sense of peace and contentment. So why not give mindfulness a try and see the positive impact it can have on your life?
