The Hare with Amber Eyes
Edmund de Waal
20 min
7 Key Points
4.5 RateWhat's inside?
Dive into a captivating journey of a family's hidden treasure, a collection of tiny Japanese sculptures, and discover how it survived through the tumultuous events of the 20th century.
You'll learn
1. What's the deal with2. A Jewish family's wild ride through the3. How war and politics mess with family and heritage.4. Telling stories through stuff and family tales.5. Why it's cool to know and keep our past.6. Art and culture: how they shape who we are.Key points
01The Rise and Fall of the Ephrussi Family: A Personal Perspective
In the heart of Paris, a grand mansion once stood, its walls adorned with priceless works of art, its halls echoing with the whispers of the elite. This was the home of the Ephrussi family, a dynasty that rose from the grain trade in Odessa to become one of the most influential banking families in Europe during the 19th century. Their story, however, is not just one of wealth and power, but also of loss and resilience. The Ephrussi family's rise to prominence was akin to a well-played game of chess. Each move was calculated, each strategy meticulously planned. They started in Odessa, where they built a successful grain trade business. From there, they expanded into the banking industry, establishing themselves as key players in the financial world. Their influence soon spread across Europe, reaching as far as Vienna and Paris. But the Ephrussi family was not just known for their banking prowess. They were also renowned patrons of the arts. Their art collection was vast and valuable, encompassing a wide range of periods and styles. One notable piece was a collection of 264 Japanese netsuke, small carved figurines, which later became the focus of Edmund de Waal's book, "The Hare with Amber Eyes." These tiny sculptures, passed down through generations, serve as a tangible link to the family's past, a testament to their once-great influence. However, the Ephrussi family's story took a dark turn during the Second World War. The Nazis seized their wealth, including their art collection, effectively erasing their prominence. The grand mansion in Paris was emptied, its treasures scattered. The family was left with nothing but their name and their resilience. This downfall raises questions about the effects of war on prominent families. How does one rebuild after such a loss? Can influence ever truly be erased? Edmund de Waal, a descendant of the Ephrussi family, grapples with these questions as he uncovers his family's past. His journey is one of discovery and introspection, as he delves into the rise, influence, and downfall of his ancestors. His unique insights provide a personal perspective on the Ephrussi family's story, adding depth and nuance to their narrative. In the end, the Ephrussi family's story is a testament to the fleeting nature of wealth and influence. Their rise was meteoric, their downfall tragic. Yet, their legacy lives on, not in the grand mansion in Paris or the vast art collection, but in the resilience of their descendants and the enduring allure of the netsuke. As we reflect on their story, we are left to ponder: What truly defines a family's legacy? Is it their wealth, their influence, or the resilience they show in the face of adversity?
02Tracing Family History Through Japanese Netsuke
In the heart of "The Hare with Amber Eyes," we find a collection of Japanese netsuke, small intricate carvings, that serve as a tangible link to the past for the author, Edmund de Waal. These tiny sculptures, no bigger than a matchbox, are more than just art pieces. They are carriers of unique stories, each one a silent witness to the lives of the family members who owned them. The netsuke, in their silent eloquence, help us understand the family's history. They are like breadcrumbs left behind by the ancestors, leading us through the labyrinth of time. Each netsuke has its own tale to tell, its own piece of history to share. They are the silent narrators of the family's journey from prosperity to ruin, from obscurity to fame, and everything in between. The journey of these netsuke is a mirror image of de Waal's family journey. They traveled from Japan to Europe, changing hands from one generation to the next, just as the family moved across continents, evolving and adapting to new environments. The movement of these objects across continents and through generations provides a physical representation of the family's migration and evolution. De Waal uses the netsuke as a lens to explore his family history. He delves into the past, tracing the lineage and experiences of his ancestors through the stories attached to each netsuke. This exploration is not just about the past, but also about understanding the present and the author's own identity. The netsuke serve as a bridge, connecting the author to his ancestors, helping him understand his roots and his place in the world. When the netsuke were inherited by de Waal, they became a part of his personal heritage. This inheritance is not just about possession, but also about the responsibility of carrying forward the family's history and legacy. The netsuke are a reminder of the past, a symbol of continuity, a link that connects the past, present, and future. The book highlights the connection between art and history. The netsuke, as pieces of art, are used as tools to unravel the history of a family. They are silent witnesses to the family's journey, each one carrying a piece of the family's history within it. This underlines the idea that art can serve as a medium to understand and interpret history. In conclusion, the journey of the netsuke and their significance in tracing family history is a testament to the power of art as a tool for understanding and interpreting history. They are not just art pieces, but storytellers, each one carrying a piece of the family's history, each one a link to the past. Through them, we see the power of art to connect us to our roots, to help us understand our past, and to guide us into the future.
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03How Art Shapes Identity and Memory?
04The Impact of the Holocaust on the Ephrussi Family
05"The Journey of Netsuke: From Japan to Europe"
06Reflecting on Family History: Insights and Inheritance
07Conclusion
About Edmund de Waal
Edmund de Waal is a British artist, author, and ceramicist, known for his large-scale installations of porcelain vessels. He gained literary fame with his memoir, "The Hare with Amber Eyes," which explores his family's history through a collection of Japanese netsuke. He's a professor of ceramics at the University of Westminster.