Albert Einstein at the Vilna Shul — A Day to Remember
Last week, we brought to life a remarkable gathering of Albert Einstein portrait lithographs at The Vilna Shul for a one-day showing, and the experience was unforgettable. These works were recently consigned to RR Auction by an anonymous collector, and while I’d studied them individually, I had never seen the entire collection assembled in one space. The moment they were laid out across the room, I saw them for the first time the way they were meant to be seen — in conversation with each other.
Einstein at the Vilna Shul — Rare Signed Lithographs
Per Aspera ad Astra — A Rare Signed Highlight
The clear highlight of the showing was a rare lithograph personally inscribed by Einstein with the Latin phrase “Per aspera ad astra” — “Through hardships to the stars.” I felt myself drawn to it immediately. That inscription, written in Einstein’s own hand, felt like the emotional heartbeat of the collection, capturing the arc of a life marked by brilliance, upheaval, and resilience.
Berlin Years, Jewish Artists, and a Cultural Moment
Surrounding that centerpiece was a curated group of nearly 35 portrait lithographs created by leading Jewish and European artists of the era. Each work offers a different interpretation of Einstein — the young Berlin professor, the rising international voice, the refugee, the global icon.
Artists represented include:
- Hermann Struck
- Max Liebermann
- Lou Albert-Lasard
- and others from Einstein’s artistic community in Berlin
Displayed alongside these were significant artifacts: his 1934 denaturalization notice, early publications, rare photographs, and sculptural studies. Together, they tell a story that’s both artistic and deeply historical.
The Vilna Shul: A Powerful Setting
The Vilna Shul was the perfect backdrop. As Boston’s last remaining immigrant-era synagogue and now a thriving cultural center for Jewish history and identity, the space added a meaningful context — mirroring the world from which many of these artists emerged.
Seeing the Full Story for the First Time
Standing in that room, seeing the whole narrative at once, I realized how powerfully these works connect when experienced together. What began as a consignment became, in that moment, a vivid narrative of Einstein’s life, his community, and the turbulent era that shaped him.
Auction Date: December 10
The auction of this extraordinary collection will take place on Wednesday, December 10, offering collectors and institutions a rare opportunity to acquire works that together form a unique visual and cultural portrait of Albert Einstein.
Bobby Livingston
Executive Vice President, RR Auction
[email protected]
