Lot Essay
ALEKSANDER AND LUCJA LANDAU
The story of this remarkable, art collecting couple is one which gives tribute to their indominable spirit and endless courage. Born in pre-World War II Poland, Aleksander and Lucja with their respective families suffered the fate of countless others who had to flee their homeland in order to escape certain death at the hands of the invading enemies.
Their flight took them to different parts of the world and it was not until the 1940s that they were re-united in Brazil. Lucja and her family were taken prisoners by the invading Red Army and spent most of the Second World War in camps in the Soviet Union. They later emigrated to Israel where they stayed for some years. In search of a better life, Brazil became their final destination. Aleksander and his brother traveled through the Near and Far East and after many adverturous journeys and overcoming insurmountable obstacles, finally found themselves to Brazil. Although trained as a lawyer, Aleksander Landau could not carry out his profession in his adopted country and instead establishing himself as a successful businessman. Both Landaus had grown up with art collections in Poland, and so it was natural that they would seek out the cultural riches of Brazil, learning about her artists and befriending many. Among those who became close friends were Candido Portinari and Emiliano Di Cavalcanti. Living in São Paulo, the Landaus kept and open house for visitors, and the artists frequently spent the night with theym when visiting from Rio de Janeiro. Di Cavalcanti enjoyed playing cards which was also a passion of the Landaus, so many a night would be spent at the bridge table with him. His art found its way onto the walls of the Landaus who had become passionate collectors. In time, Aleksander decided to do more for his artist friends than buy their paintings and undertook the publishing of a number of monographs both for Portinari's and Di Cavalacanti's work. These books have become valuable resources of collectors and are a testimony of his deep caring and scholarly respect for Brazilian art.
Aleksander and Lucja Landau died surrounded by their art works and Christie's is proud to have been chosen to diperse their collection. The proceeds of the sale of these lovingly collected paintings have been designated to support a group of Jewish charitable institutions in São Paulo.
The story of this remarkable, art collecting couple is one which gives tribute to their indominable spirit and endless courage. Born in pre-World War II Poland, Aleksander and Lucja with their respective families suffered the fate of countless others who had to flee their homeland in order to escape certain death at the hands of the invading enemies.
Their flight took them to different parts of the world and it was not until the 1940s that they were re-united in Brazil. Lucja and her family were taken prisoners by the invading Red Army and spent most of the Second World War in camps in the Soviet Union. They later emigrated to Israel where they stayed for some years. In search of a better life, Brazil became their final destination. Aleksander and his brother traveled through the Near and Far East and after many adverturous journeys and overcoming insurmountable obstacles, finally found themselves to Brazil. Although trained as a lawyer, Aleksander Landau could not carry out his profession in his adopted country and instead establishing himself as a successful businessman. Both Landaus had grown up with art collections in Poland, and so it was natural that they would seek out the cultural riches of Brazil, learning about her artists and befriending many. Among those who became close friends were Candido Portinari and Emiliano Di Cavalcanti. Living in São Paulo, the Landaus kept and open house for visitors, and the artists frequently spent the night with theym when visiting from Rio de Janeiro. Di Cavalcanti enjoyed playing cards which was also a passion of the Landaus, so many a night would be spent at the bridge table with him. His art found its way onto the walls of the Landaus who had become passionate collectors. In time, Aleksander decided to do more for his artist friends than buy their paintings and undertook the publishing of a number of monographs both for Portinari's and Di Cavalacanti's work. These books have become valuable resources of collectors and are a testimony of his deep caring and scholarly respect for Brazilian art.
Aleksander and Lucja Landau died surrounded by their art works and Christie's is proud to have been chosen to diperse their collection. The proceeds of the sale of these lovingly collected paintings have been designated to support a group of Jewish charitable institutions in São Paulo.