Raphaël Denis. Rosenberg Fund, the Parisian years

Shortly before the armistice on 22 June 1940, the famous art dealer Paul Rosenberg (1881-1959) rented safe No. 7 at the Banque Nationale pour le Commerce et l'Industrie in Libourne, Gironde, to store 162 paintings. Many other works had previously been hidden in Tours and Floirac. Paul Rosenberg intended to secure the last works in his Paris gallery - located at 21, rue de la Boétie - before going into exile in the United States.

Raphaël Denis's installation is a milestone in a wider project on the spoliation of works of art under the Occupation. The artist designed these volumes to coincide with the exhibition "Paul Rosenberg, marchand de tableaux spolié sous l'Occupation" at the Centre Pompidou from May to September 2019. They compile, in the chronological order in which they were taken, all the works photographed at the gallery owner's request in the course of his business between the wars until his departure in 1940. The existence of these images was crucial to the restitution of the works that had been stolen from him.

Rosenberg Fund, the Parisian years is installed on the 2nd floor of the museum, at the end of the permanent galleries.

Acquired by the Pro mahJ Foundation with the support of the "Tout autour du mahJ" group and the Sator gallery.