Art: The Woman In Gold

This week sees the release of the the Woman In Gold movie starring Helen Mirren and Ryan Reynolds telling the true story of the Nazi theft of five Gustav Klimt paintings from Maria Altmann's family, whose aunt is portrayed above in one of the world's most famous paintings.

www.telegraph.co.uk

The plot sees Maria Altmann's character (played by Helen Mirren) attempt to recover the paintings after discovering them displayed in Austria's Belvedere Gallery. The gallery point blank refused to return the almost priceless paintings as they were now seen as the equivalent of Austria's Mona Lisa and to them almost unimaginable assets to lose. Maria Altmann is quoted on the long quest for justice
“They will delay, delay, delay, hoping I will die. But I will do them the pleasure of staying alive.”

As an art therapist I am particularly keen to watch the movie for it's association of art as important to society and it's reflection of society during troubled times and how art can be used as a healing tool to cope with harrowing and traumatic events. Ryan Reynolds who plays lawyer Randy Schoenberg in the movie states this nicely in this quote "It's not about retribution, it's a story about resolution. It's about making amends with your past."

The Woman In Gold is out April 10th. Do let me know your thoughts if you see it.