OIL PAINTING FROM HITLER'S BERGHOF

OIL PAINTING FROM HITLER'S BERGHOF
An original oil painting taken from the hallway outside Adolf Hitler's bedroom at the Berghof. The ruins of the Berghof at Berchtesgaden were entered by American M.P. Ragnvald C. Borch, one of the first Americans on the scene and fluent in German and French, when he was sent to liase with the French 2ieme Division Blindee (French 2nd Armored Division), the first Allied troops to reach Hitler's home. The 9.75 x 8 in. oil on wood board in an impressionistic view of a barn in the countryside, in many ways reminiscent of Hitler's own works in the earliest days of his 'career' as a painter. The painting is set signed 'R. Orsini' at lower-left, and it is quite soiled after 70 years. It is set in a simple wood frame, possibly original. According to a detailed letter of provenance signed by our consignor, the son of the M.P. who recovered the artwork, the oil was taken by the soldier at the same time that he recovered another oil, as well as the seat of Hitler's commode, as mentioned in the book 'Hitler's Mountain.' As he took the paintings he was asked by his comrades for his reasoning. He responded: 'He [Hitler] had to pass and look at them every day.' The letter also indicates that as an M.P., he was easily able to clear his 'souvenirs' for shipping home to his future wife. Also included are copies of a photograph showing the M.P. at Berchtesgaden, his service record, and a 2001 news article.