Robert Edsel's Blog

Paul Mellon, the great American art patron and son of Andrew Mellon, who donated to the nation the funds required to build our National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., once said: “What this nation needs is a good 5 minute respite”. I think he was suggesting we slow down a bit, take a deep breath, pause to reflect, and perhaps even be thankful for all we have that is good. Thanksgiving may be the best of all holidays to allow ourselves just such a moment.

I have so much for which to be thankful. What follows are some of the more immediate things that come to mind:

The opportunity to have spent almost 4 hours with Lane Faison before he died…

Discovering Monuments woman Mary Regan Quessenberry and having the chance to spend so much time with her this fall…she is one of the more remarkable people I’ve ever met…

Having the time and resources to travel around the country the last 4 years visiting with the Monuments Men and women and their families, and developing with them a special bond of friendship from my work to tell their story and preserve their legacy…

Developing such a close relationship with the great folks at the National World War II Museum, in particular director Dr. Nick Mueller.  Their enthusiasm about the importance of the story of the Monuments Men and eagerness to work with the Monuments Men Foundation has been a most welcome development…

Being of good health…

Having had such great parents, both of whom had the opportunity to be a part of my work to find and honor the Monuments Men…

Having such a wonderful son whose very voice brings a smile and laughter to each day…

Being surrounded with such dedicated people at the Monuments Men Foundation office who care so deeply about these Monuments Men and women, their stories, and in making sure their accomplishments are known to all…

For having such an extraordinary group of friends, diverse in their thought and ways, spread around the world, but all only a call away, each ever present in my heart…

And finally, being of good spirit and attitude, filled with passion for all things meaningful in my life…my passion is the source of my endless reserve of energy, creativity, and love.

To all…have a great Thanksgiving!!!

Imagine for a moment the unimaginable:  your family, generations of loved ones who carried the same last name and with it the history of your lineage, killed during a horrific and lengthy war.  All their property was stolen.  You somehow survived.  Years later, while busy building a career, perhaps a family, struggling to make ends meet, you discover a painting that once belonged to your family hanging on someone else’s wall…perhaps a private collector, a museum, or an art gallery.  You may even have a photo of it hanging in your family’s living room before the war, perhaps some documents evidencing their ownership.

When you contact the current owner, you are stonewalled and eventually told – it’s too late.  The statute of limitations has run its course.  You should have filed a claim sooner.  “But I didn’t know where it was…I couldn’t afford an attorney…I didn’t have time to search these databases – I”m trying to raise a family and hold down a job”.  How does that scenario make you feel?

Some today believe, in fact argue strenuously, that enough time has passed.  “After all, the war has been over for almost 65 years”.  They comment that this “thing” can’t continue to drag on and on…it isn’t “fair”.

The truth is this debate is playing out today in this country and others.  Vocal opponents – very influential people – argue enough is enough….bring an end to these claims.

I want to know what you think, how you feel about this debate.  Please send me your comments.  I’ll share them with you in a future blog along with my thoughts on the debate.