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Sep 2019
44m 48s

I. The Missing Neurologist

Städel Museum
About this episode
Johannes and the curator Alexander Eiling are standing in the Städel Museum’ storage room – in front of an empty picture frame. It is the frame that once held the “Portrait of Dr Gachet”, which was in the Städel collection until 1937. The present owner: anonymous. The museum long made every effort to obtain the painting as a loan for its upcoming van Gogh ex ... Show More
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Sep 2019
II. „Degenerate Art“
Frankfurt, Germany, 1905. Georg Swarzenski is appointed director of the Städel at the age of 30. He wants to open the richly traditional museum for exciting new art. In 1911, he purchases the “Portrait of Dr Gachet” in Paris – an act that makes a strong statement in the unyieldin ... Show More
34m 55s
Sep 2019
III. Genius and Madness
The “Portrait of Dr Gachet” is in storage in a granary in Berlin along with thousands of other confiscated artworks. Here it comes to the attention of one of the leading National Socialists: Hermann Göring wants to turn it into cash abroad. By a circuitous route, the work finds i ... Show More
32m 37s
Sep 2019
IV. Gachet’s Farewell
The “Portrait of Dr Gachet” has meanwhile changed owners thirteen times – and now it’s writing art market history. How did it come about: the historical auction where the painting broke all the price records? Johannes travels to Christie’s in London to meet with Christopher Burge ... Show More
37m 20s
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