December 1939
“Rita! It is so wonderful to see you again!” Sally exclaimed as she and Luca emerged from the car into the fresh countryside air of Piemonte.
“I missed you so much as well!” Luca chimed in, running to his dear friend Rita and giving her a big hug and lifting her off the ground playfully. “I had almost forgotten how beautiful this area is and your warm cozy country villa,” Luca continued looking around at the rolling hills, farmland, and the glowing lights from the sprawling country estate. “I feel so much better knowing you are safe here my friend instead of in the city these days,” Luca said.
“It is very comfortable and feels safe here for now,” Rita replied. “And it is convenient for me to continue my neuroscience research using chicken eggs purchased from the nearby farms. Our neighbors here are also very friendly and welcoming, always looking out for us. And if I need something from the city or want to check in on our villa there, Turin isn’t too far away,” Rita concluded. Come, let’s get you both inside, as Count and Contessa Cavallo arrived earlier and are already settled in,” Rita said, gesturing for the guests to make their way to the entrance.
“We are glad they arrived safely before us,” Sally replied. “I insisted we make a stop in Turin first to meet with Sir Joseph Duveen’s business partners, Armand Lowengard and Edward Fowles. They are now the join owners of the Duveen Brothers art firm after Sir Joseph’s untimely death at the end of October in New York. I was heartbroken to hear of his passing after we became so close working together with Marjorie and your family to protect the Levi-Montalcini art collection,” Sally added sadly.
“I was shocked and saddened to hear of Sir Joseph’s death as well,” Rita replied. “We are hearing many rumors from Jewish friends and family all over Europe of Nazis intensifying their looting efforts to seize Jewish art collections during the invasion of Poland in September. I’m sure it will only continue to increase as the war grows. We’ve heard of corrupt art dealers helping the Nazis as well to seize art collections,” Rita said worriedly. “And now with Sir Duveen’s death, how well do you know these new co-owners, Sally? Can we still trust them as much as we trusted Sir Duveen?” Rita inquired.
“That was precisely one of the reasons I wanted to meet with them in person in Turin,” Sally replied. “In person, they seem to be trustworthy and continue to support our efforts for protecting Jewish art collections from the Nazis. And Marjorie continues to work with the firm, as do many other prominent American art collectors’ estates such as the estate of Henry Clay Frick, Andrew Mellon, J.P. Morgan, and John D. Rockefeller Sr. But they are also working with the controversial wealthy and eccentric newspaper publisher and politician William Randolph Hearst who while condemning some of the things Nazi Germany and Hitler are doing, at the same time, provides positive press coverage, and even praise for some things coming out of Nazi Germany. So, while I believe we can still trust the new joint owners of Duveen Brothers, I have my reservations, and will keep a close eye on them,” Sally replied determinedly. However, Sir Duveen’s trusted colleague, Bernard Berenson, continues as a vital art authenticator and influencer for Duveen Brothers clientele from his Firenze base, “I Tatti”, and I have a close trusted relationship with Bernard as an additional mentor alongside Sir Duveen over these past few years. So, I know that we can at least trust Bernard to assist us with protecting your art collection as much as possible,” she concluded.
“Sally, you never cease to amaze and surprise me with all of your knowledge and skills!” Adele Montalcini exclaimed while entering the room. “I couldn’t but help overhear the conversation.” She continued. “And I know that our art collection remains in safe hands with you, my dear,” Adele concluded placing her hand on Sally’s shoulder then giving her a kiss on each cheek in greeting.
“Signora Montalcini, it is such a pleasure to see you again and thank you for your hospitality to host us in your home during Hannukah as well as for your kind words and trust in me,” Sally replied humbly.
“You’re welcome my dear, and please do call me Adele. We are grateful to have the Cavallo family with us during the holidays,” Adele continued. “The villa is warmer and more inviting when filled with the laughter and voices of friends and family,” Adele added while sipping her aperitif. Rita, please ring for the staff to bring Cavallos something warm to drink before dinner. After dinner we can discuss more about the continued plans to not only protect our art collection, but what we can do to help support other Jewish families and friends who’ve had their art collections seized by the horrible Nazis, and how we can get their art back for them.”
“We are of the same mind, Adele,” Sally said with a smile. “And I’m already thinking ahead for how we do just that.”
“That’s my girl!” Luca chuckled. “Just tell me how I can help ladies and I’m at your service,” he smiled.
Before beginning the sumptuous dinner planned, the hostess, Adele Montalcini, invited everyone into the expansive family room to begin the Hanukkah celebrations by lighting the menorah.
“What a magnificent view of Piemonte countryside and rolling hills through these towering windows and soaring loft ceiling of this family room!” Sally exclaimed. It’s so large yet feels cozy and warm with the fireplace as well,” she continued in awe of the sweeping vista outside the villa with the fresh falling snow blanketing the hills, lights from other villas twinkling in the distance against the snow in the twilight as darkness fell.
“It’s one of the main reasons we bought this house,” Rita replied. My twin sister Paola loves all the natural light for when she’s painting or looking for inspiration to paint,” she explained.
“It’s like you are watching a movie scene,” Count Cavallo chimed in. “The outside is brought fully inside, and you feel immersed in the scenery all around,” he continued with a smile of contentment. “We should consider getting a country retreat in the mountains as well,” Count Cavallo suggested, turning to his wife, Isabella who also was admiring the stunning views.
Rita’s father, Signor Levi, invited everyone to take a seat around the giant menorah in the center of the large picture windows. “Now, we begin the Hanukkah season with the lighting of the first candle on this first night of Hanukkah, December 6th 1939, and recite the blessings together,” he explained. Each person had a printed version of the blessing for the first candle lighting in the menorah with the shamash candle, and a printed version of the Shehecheyanu blessing to recite together afterwards. The Levi Montalcini family members also took turns telling the story of Hanukkah and the miracle of the oil, which was only enough for one night, but miraculously lasted for 8 nights.
As Adele ushered her guests into the expansive dining room nearby, everyone was pleasantly surprised to see the long table set with a mouthwatering array of various fried delicacies, which Rita explained were traditional Hanukkah meal dishes reminding of the miracle of the oil. The table was set with fried potato latkes with either sour cream or applesauce for accompaniment, fried artichokes, fried fish, fried arancini (rice balls), fried meat and cheese ravioli, and much more.
After the delicious dinner everyone made their way back into the family room. Just then, the family staff entered carrying a large silver tray of sweet treats for the Hanukkah holiday, including sufganiyot, jam-filled doughnuts and sweet fritters called fritellle de Chanukah, made with raisins and flavored with aniseed, and drizzled with honey.
As the staff placed the tray of Hanukkah sweets on the table for everyone to begin enjoying, Luca suddenly exclaimed, “We can’t forget the children’s games and the dreidel!” “Luciano needs to experience the full holiday celebrations,” he said.
“I have a feeling that Luciano isn’t the only child that wants to play with the dreidel,” Sally laughed winking at Luca who blushed.
“We are all children at heart,” Signor Levi replied with a chuckle. “We all should enjoy time to play. Bring out the dreidels!” He exclaimed.
Suddenly the room came alive with dreidel games, singing, laughter, and enjoyment of the sweet treats. Luciano, just 1 1/2 years old, giggled out loud, enjoying his first Hanukkah celebration with all the adults embracing their inner child at heart too.
“This is exactly what we needed!” Rita said with a smile. “Thank you so much Cavallo family for joining us during Hanukkah. It means a great deal to our family and to me,” she added with a catch in her throat and tear-filled eyes.
“We are all one family,” Luca replied. “And we are happy to be here with you and always here to support each other during the challenging times and celebrate during happy times,” he added with a smile.
“Exactly! We are one family and always here for you!” Contessa Cavallo added. “And we will be here with you for all of Hanukkah to celebrate, as well as invite you to join our Christmas and New Year celebrations at the villa of our close friends the Vacarro familia nearby. They are equally supportive and welcome you into their home!” Contessa Cavallo concluded.
“You and the Vacarro’s are too kind!” Adele replied. “And we are most thankful during this Hannukah season for the blessings of good friends and family we can trust, especially during these times,” she added.
“Oh, and I forgot to mention Rita, that the Vacarro family mentioned they’ve invited the Agnelli family socialites and heiresses from Turin, Cristiana Agnelli and Carla Agnelli, to their holiday celebrations if that is ok with you,” Sally said. “From what I’ve heard about them and their connections as the powerful Fiat family, they are quite avant-garde with their fashion sense and have an independent spirit,” she continued.
“Oh, how marvelous!” Adele exclaimed. “We’ve only met them a few times at formal events, but they are lovely young women that you, Sally, Luca, Rita and the other young guests will enjoy getting to know better and conversing,” she continued with a smile. “Thank you for letting us know they will be there,” Adele concluded.
“Also, Sally, Paola and I have a new piece of art in the villa in Turin that we’d like to talk with you about securing at some point in the near future,” Rita said. “It is not so much an older priceless collectors’piece, but a new piece of art that is very important to us. It is a painting of Paola and I in Turin by her good friend, fellow artist, and admirer of her work, Giorgio de Chirico. He alongside artist Carlo Carra developed the scuola metafisica (metaphysical art/painting) style that profoundly influenced surrealist artists,” she explained. “He rarely, if ever, does portraiture, but as a gift to Paola and me, he did a portrait of us in Turin, which we now treasure. However, it hangs in our house in Turin because we dare not try to bring out such a large piece of art with us to Piemonte right now. But we do want to ensure it is protected at some point because it is so personal and meaningful for all of us,” Rita concluded with a sigh.
“Most assuredly, we will discuss a plan to secure that important personal art for you and your family,” Sally replied with a nod as Luca concurred.
“Thank you as always Sally,” Adele replied. “We can continue our work tomorrow and preparing for the challenges ahead,” she added. “Now, let’s put aside our worries, and enjoy the rest of these delicious Hannukah treats!” she exclaimed with a smile. “Happy Hannukah everyone!”
“Happy Hannukah!” everyone exclaimed in unison, raising their glasses for a toast to the holiday season, good friends, and family.
