Rose Valland, a Heroine for Art

Plaque on the Jeu de Paume in Paris
Photo Karen F. Rose

As you walk around the Tuileries in Paris you can't help but notice the beautiful fountains and flowers, but on this day I was in search of a special piece of history.

On a wall outside the Jeu de Paume in the Tuileries Garden in Paris is a plaque honoring the art historian, member of the French Resistance and perhaps one of the most heroic French women during World War II, Rose Valland.

To honor Rose Valland

I had often asked, "How did the great works of art survive the destruction and the ravages of World War II"?  

The spellbinding documentary The Rape of Europa  and the book The Monuments Men by Robert Edsel tell the heroic story of Rose Valland and the Monuments Men. The plaque on the Jeu de Paume is in honor of Rose.

During the war, the Nazis stole art works from museums and private collections and stored them in the Jeu de Paume, and all the while, Rose secretly kept records.


Wikipedia says that, "For four years she kept track of where and to whom in Germany the artworks were shipped and risked her life to provide information to the French Underground and about railroad shipments of art so that they would not mistakenly blow up the trains loaded with France's priceless treasures". 

Watch this video clip. Click  HERE 

Chambord
Photo Karen F. Rose

Chambord is the location where, as the Nazis advanced toward Paris, Leonardo Da Vinci's painting Mona Lisa, and the ancient Greek sculpture Venus De Milo, as well as hundreds of other priceless works of art were taken from the Louvre museum and secretly stored for safekeeping.

Venus De Milo
Louvre Museum
Photo Karen F. Rose 

When you see the actual film footage of this story unfold, you too will forever remember Rose Valland and the Monuments Men.
An amazing story.