Nativity Painting Presented to Gen. McNarney by Concentration Camp Survivors & Polish Displaced Persons

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Nativity Painting Presented to Gen. McNarney by Concentration Camp Survivors & Polish Displaced Persons

Watercolor painting by J. Wojokowski presented to General McNarney by "ex-prisoners of Concentration Camps and Polish Displaced Persons" on 24th December, 1946. The watercolor has characters in traditional Polish dress coming to the manger, where the Holy Family and angels are gathered, with a star overhead. In the background are snow covered mountains and a city with a cathedral spire rising from it. On the reverse is a presentation covered in clear plastic reading, "To General Joseph Mac Narney Commander in chief of 3rd American Army with best wishes for Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. ex-prisoners of Gr. Concentration Camps and Polish Displaced Persons from Center in Mermau. 24th of December 1946." The presentation is written in calligraphy on a separate piece of apparently parchment paper, and is attached to the reverse of the painting under a sheet of plastic. When General McNarney assumed command of United States Forces in Europe he was presented with an overwhelming problem: Hundreds of thousands of Jews as well as hundreds of thousands of other displaced persons, primarily of Polish or Baltic nationality were suddenly free from Nazi capture and extermination. However, their pre-war homes were no longer available to them in some cases having been destroyed, and in the case of many Jewish survivors having been taken by former neighbors. Additionally the gentiles in some areas proceeded to carry out pogroms against their Jewish former neighbors as in Kielce in Poland where Polish locals murdered 41 returning Jewish refugees on July 5, 1946, beating and stoning an additional 75. Added to this, our British Allies were protesting the movement of Jewish survivors to what was then still British Palestine, attempting to force the Americans to keep Jewish refugees in the occupied zone. General McNarney was thrust into the middle of this situation, and handled it so well that he ended up earning praise for all sides, as well as the gratitude of both Jewish survivors and displaced persons from various European countries. This painting is one of a number of touchingly personal recognitions he received from the people with whom he dealt. McNarney dealt with literally millions of survivors and refugees from nearly every country in Europe, and never lost his humanity, or his compassion. Size: 24 by 19 by 1 inches. Provenance: Estate of General Joseph McNarney. Processing and shipping in the Continental United States is $55.00 plus 1.5% replacement cost insurance.

Provenance:The Estate of General Joseph T. McNarney

Condition:

Generally the painting and certificate are excellent. There is tape peeling on the reverse.

Witherell's strives to provide as much information and photographs as possible but encourages in-person inspection by bidders. Condition statements are only for general guidance and should not be relied upon as complete statements of fact and do not constitute a representation, warranty or assumption of liability by Witherell's. All lots are sold "AS IS" under terms and conditions. Please be advised we do not provide porters nor packing materials for pick ups.

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Estimate: $100 - $250

Price Realized Including Buyer's Premium

$594

11/03/2022

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Annex Auctions strives to provide as much information and photographs as possible but encourages in-person inspection by bidders. Condition statements are only for general guidance and should not be relied upon as complete statements of fact and do not constitute a representation, warranty or assumption of liability by Annex Auctions. All lots are sold "AS IS" under the Terms and Conditions. Methods of payment are cash, check, money orders, card or wire transfer for foreign payments. This auction has a buyer's premium of 25%.

Nativity Painting Presented to Gen. McNarney by Concentration Camp Survivors & Polish Displaced Persons | Annex Auctions

FAMILY HEIRLOOMS OF DISTINGUISHED WWII GENERALS McAULLIFE and McNARNEY: A signature auction by Steven Crain and Associates.

Nativity Painting Presented to Gen. McNarney by Concentration Camp Survivors & Polish Displaced Persons