NYPL Researcher Spotlight: Ariela Braunschweig

This profile is part of a series of interviews chronicling the experiences of researchers who use The New York Public Library's collections for the development of their work.

Ariela Braunschweig, originally from Zurich, Switzerland, is an art historian with expertise in WWII-era provenance research. Ariela currently leads a research project for the Jewish Digital Cultural Recovery Project (JDCRP) on the ‘Documentation of Persecuted Jewish Artists’ and works as an independent provenance researcher. Previously, Ariela worked as a researcher for the Restitution Department at Christie’s in London. She received her MA in Art History in a Global Context from the Freie Universität Berlin.

Tell us about your research project.

Much has been written about a few renowned Jewish artists who either survived persecution or tragically perished in the Holocaust. However, the vast majority of Jewish artists remain overlooked, largely due to the brevity of their lives, which limited their artistic output, or because their work was stolen, lost or destroyed during the Nazi era (1933-1945). Many artists fell victim to the Holocaust, while those who survived often found it exceedingly difficult to resume their artistic careers amidst the trauma of war or in foreign lands where support networks were lacking.  

In response to this historical neglect, an ambitious research initiative has emerged: the "Initial List Documenting Persecuted Jewish Artists." This project aims to compile a first comprehensive list—and ultimately, a searchable directory—encompassing the names of Jewish artists across Europe who suffered persecution at the hands of the Nazis and their collaborators between 1933 and 1945. By consolidating dispersed information, this initiative opens new paths for research on each artist, and a renewed visibility in the digital age.

Among the artists listed is Benedikt Fred Dolbin (1883 Vienna - 1971 Jackson Heights, New York), an Austrian painter, illustrator, and cartoonist. The New York Public Library preserves a collection of 181 of Dolbin's drawings and prints, offering a glimpse into his creative legacy. Despite surviving the Holocaust in exile in New York, Dolbin, like many others, was unable to reclaim the thriving artistic career he had cultivated in Europe. 

How is such an encyclopedic endeavor possible?

This project would not be possible without the help of many other researchers, archivists, authors, and institutions. Numerous valuable consultations, as well as an Advisory Board, were instrumental in shaping the scope of the project and gaining insights into ongoing and future projects concerning Jewish artists. Additionally, several renowned institutions and experts generously shared internal data from their collections with us.

What brought you to NYPL? 

When I relocated to New York City from London, one of my primary objectives was to explore the original publications of Yosef Sandel, particularly Umgeḳumene Yidishe ḳinsṭler in Poyln and Plasṭishe ḳunsṭ bay Yidn in Poyln. NYPL’s Dorot Jewish Division emerged as the ideal destination, renowned for its collections of Judaic literature. There, I was also able to look at numerous other relevant publications that had not yet been digitized, enriching my research experience. Moreover, the curator, Lyudmila Sholokhova, graciously directed my attention to the archival documentation of the Emergency Committee in Aid of Displaced Foreign Scholars records in NYPL’s Manuscripts and Archives Division, which proved to be invaluable for my ongoing work. The access to a wide variety of databases was another important reason to come to the library.

What's your favorite spot in the Library?

I love to walk through the General Research Division on the third floor on my way to the Arts Division.

What research tools could you not live without?

In compiling my initial research, I relied heavily on the online databases of archives and libraries. These resources proved indispensable for conducting an overview that helped me to plan the next stages of my research.

What’s the most unexpected item you encountered in your research?

The most unexpected items I encountered in my research were the handwritten letters by Jewish artists in the Otto Schneid Papers at the University of Toronto's Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library. It's fascinating to discover that Schneid, himself an artist and historian, was compiling a book on Jewish artists in the 1930s. Even though the Nazis halted the printing of his book, and a later version in Hebrew remained unpublished, Schneid preserved the letters and archival documentation sent to him by various artists. In 2002 his widow, Miriam, generously donated these unpublished manuscripts and background materials to the Fisher Library, where they were digitized and made accessible to researchers like myself.

How do you maintain your research momentum?

Continuously stumbling upon new and intriguing artists, their fates, and their artworks keeps me going. The discovery process fuels my curiosity and enthusiasm, driving me to delve deeper into my research and uncover more fascinating insights.

After a day of working/researching, what do you do to unwind?

I unwind by spending quality time with my family and friends. Additionally, I find relaxation in taking long walks through parks and exploring the city.

What's your favorite distraction?

Definitely cuddling and kissing my 4.5-month-old baby girl.

What tabs do you currently have open on your computer?

Currently, I am researching the persecution of artists born in Hamburg, Germany. To aid in this effort, I am utilizing resources such as The Central Database of Shoah Victims’ Names, the Holocaust Survivors and Victims Database, as well as online websites of archives in Germany such as the Staatsarchiv Hamburg. In a separate window, I maintain an open list of artists’ names, to which I continuously add newly discovered information.

Who makes the best coffee in the neighborhood?

The best coffee is made at home by my husband. It's both the cheapest and fastest way for me to enjoy a cup of coffee.