In Spite of Everything, Jacques Gotko, 21 May 1942

Ink and watercolor on paper, 14 × 19 cm this work commemorates the anniversary of being interned in the camp. The inmates listed were interned on 21 may 1941 in the "billet vert" operation, being summoned to a parisian police station and then sent to compiègne. The work contains the signatures of various inmates and the numbers given to them by the camp: isis kischka 787 122; a. Leon 2203; zladin 1381; goychman 356; curfist 1379; rivinof 797; s. Max 388; berliner 369; s. Schleifer 163; a. Berline 944; k. Kirschenstein 1152; herzberg 1061. On the back of the work, in the lower part, is an inscription in french: pour remettre à mme. Salomon kraczmen, parvenir par un mot mme kraczmen, 7 av. De l'entent à sartrouville, que tu viens la voir un dimanche que to lui indiquera (vas-y avec gaby), elle sera content et son mari aussi [to hand over to mrs. Salomon kraczman, 7 av. De l'entenete in satrouville. Please visit her on a sunday at her convenience (go there with gaby). She and her husband will be very pleased] inscribed and dated (in french), upper right: quand même, 21 mai 1942 [in spite of everything, 21 may 1942]. Signed, lower right: gotko, 1496 [his camp number] beit lohamei haghetaot, museum number 1940. Donated by isis kischka, paris, 1969. Date: 21 May 1942.