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1940: Two women plan to fool the Nazis by making fake copies of stolen artwork…
1940: Two women plan to fool the Nazis by making fake copies of stolen artwork…
Three years ago, talented art restorer Sophie fled to Paris to escape the horrors of the Nazi regime. But now, with her beloved adoptive city under occupation, Sophie is forced to work at the renowned Jeu de Paume, restoring the art ruthlessly stolen from Jewish families.
Fabienne was a rising star of the glamorous Parisian art scene, until the Nazis put a stop to her craft. Mourning the loss of her husband, she’s a shadow of her former self – until her estranged sister-in-law Sophie arrives at her door with a stolen painting in hand.
The two women embark on a treacherous plan: to save stolen artwork by replacing it with skilful forgeries, right under the watchful eyes of the Nazis. But just how long can they sustain their masterful illusion?
Paris and the Jeu de Paume
The building was constructed in 1861 during the reign of Napoleon III as a complement to the already-existing Orangerie building. It was designed for jeu de paume, which nowadays is known as real tennis, court tennis or royal tennis. It is an art gallery today.
Jeu de Paume was used from 1940 to 1944 to store Nazi plunder looted by the regime’s Reichsleiter Rosenberg Taskforce (ERR) in France. These works included masterpieces from the collections of French Jewish families like the Rothschilds. The book looks into this fascinating piece of history.
Destination: Paris Author/Guide: Bryn Turnbull Departure Time: 1940
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