The collecting obsessions of the Third Reich and others devastated the prolific art collections of Europe. The families of Rothschild, Ephrussi, Camondo and countless others suffered the results of heinous actions during WWII. These four lectures will examine generations of leading collectors, their families and the art they held. Additionally, each lecture will be a deep dive as we track specific art losses, the surrounding stories, the actions taken to locate and identify artworks, and the seemingly endless process of restitution. We will discuss the publicized cases and the quiet cases; those that have been settled and the current legal cases seeking restitution. Get your legal pad and your opinions ready!

Christine Maasdam (M.A.) holds a Master in Humanities and a B.A. in Cultural Geography. Her art studies include The Courtauld Institute of Art in London, The Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center in D.C. and Post Graduate studies in Antiquities Trafficking and Art Crime at the University of Glasgow. She is a graduate of the Art Crime Investigation Seminar led by Robert Wittman, founder of the FBI's National Art Crime Team. Christine is a member of the International Foundation for Cultural Property Protection and holds a certificate from Trident Manor on Protection of Cultural Venues. Christine received Sotheby’s certification on Determining Value: An Appraiser’s Perspective. She has spent over a decade as a LACMA docent and is an active volunteer at the City of David archaeological dig in Israel.