Summary
Paris, autumn 1920. Kōjirō Matsukata, a Japanese aristocrat with a passion for Western art, acquires Van Gogh's "The Bedroom in Arles." This exceptional canvas enriches a remarkable collection built over decades with love and respect for European art. But the Second World War would disrupt the collection's destiny. In 1944, in the offices of the French provisional government, one of the most sophisticated artistic spoliations in modern history was being orchestrated. Eighty years later, Pierre Bertier, a professor driven by a thirst for justice, discovers the hidden mechanisms of this spoliation. Armed only with his determination, he launches into a titanic battle against the French diplomatic machine. The Matsukata affair, as recounted in this novel inspired by real events, demonstrates that justice is measured not only by obtaining concrete restitutions, but also and above all by the gradual transformation of public debate. Sometimes, persistently asking the right questions proves more important than immediately obtaining the right answers.
The Author
Robert Casanovas is an honorary professor and member of the Society of Men of Letters. A lawyer passionate about the history of art collections, he has devoted many years to studying the appropriation of artworks by states. President of the NGO International Restitutions, he has published numerous academic works on the subject.