President Anna Bottinelli Featured on BBC One's 'Who Do You Think You Are?' alongside actor Andrew Garfield

We are proud to share that Monuments Men and Women Foundation President, Anna Bottinelli, had the unique opportunity to participate in an episode of the acclaimed BBC One series Who Do You Think You Are?, featuring actor Andrew Garfield.

Andrew Garfield and Anna Bottinelli

The long-running program, celebrated for tracing the personal family histories of notable public figures, takes viewers on an emotional journey through archival research, historical documents, and firsthand discoveries. In the first episode of the show's twenty-second season, Andrew Garfield embarks on an emotional exploration of his Jewish heritage, uncovering stories of resilience, tragedy, and unexpected connections. His journey leads him to discover that his relative, Bernard Taper, was a Monuments Man.

Through a conversation with Anna Bottinelli, Andrew learns that as a Monuments Man, Bernie (as he liked to be called) served as a U.S. Army intelligence officer and was instrumental in locating and restituting cultural treasures stolen by the Nazis. He was deeply proud of his service, later reflecting:

“It had been gratifying to me that ours was an organization that was concerned with preserving Germany's art heritage as well as with restituting to other nations the things that Germany had pillaged from them. It was good, I thought, that amid all the sickening evidence of man's depravity and destructiveness I should have had the opportunity to help preserve some of the things mankind had done that one could not only bear to contemplate but even take joy in.”

Moved by the discovery, Andrew shared:

“It makes my heart swell that someone in my family played a part in something so profound and human. Bernard, in his words here, has clarified and reminded me of something about how I want to live, ultimately.”

This episode not only sheds light on the personal histories entwined with global events but also highlights the enduring importance of preserving cultural heritage. Through Andrew Garfield's journey, viewers gain insight into the profound impact individuals like Bernard Taper had on safeguarding humanity's artistic achievements.

If you are in the UK, you can watch the full episode here.