Strange Inheritance Season 1 Episode 16 The Mogul and the Artist

In Strange Inheritance season 1 episode 16, titled "The Mogul and the Artist," viewers are taken on a journey through the surprising and lucrative world of contemporary art collecting. The episode opens with a brief introduction to the show's host, Jamie Colby, who explains that she'll be exploring a truly strange and unexpected inheritance: a cache of contemporary art that was left behind by a wealthy businessman and art collector.

As Colby explains, the man in question was an enigmatic figure named Isaac Tarkay. Tarkay was born in Hungary in 1935, and despite the challenges posed by World War II and the communist regime that followed, he eventually managed to emigrate to Israel. There, he made a name for himself as a businessman and entrepreneur, founding several successful companies in the fields of textiles and plastics.

But Tarkay had another passion besides business: he was an avid collector of contemporary art. Specifically, he was drawn to the works of a group of Israeli artists known as the "New Horizons" group. These artists were known for their vibrant, colorful paintings and for their exploration of new techniques and materials.

Over the years, Tarkay amassed an impressive collection of New Horizons art, including works by such luminaries as Pinchas Cohen Gan, Arie Aroch, and Yosl Bergner. But when Tarkay died in 2012, he didn't leave his treasured pieces to his family. Instead, he left them to an artist he barely knew: Dede Eshel, a young Israeli painter who had briefly worked for Tarkay's company.

As Colby explains, this strange bequest set off a chain of events that would eventually lead Eshel on a journey of discovery and self-discovery. At first, Eshel was unsure what to do with the art that had been left to her. She didn't feel like she had the expertise or the connections to properly manage Tarkay's collection. But then, she had a chance encounter with Tarkay's son, who told her a shocking truth: his father had believed that her art was among the most important work being produced in Israel today.

This revelation spurred Eshel to action. She enlisted the help of a team of experts in contemporary art, including Tarkay's former curator, and together they began to explore the collection that Tarkay had left behind. As they worked, they discovered that the art was worth far more than anyone had imagined. Some pieces were valued at tens of thousands of dollars, while others were considered priceless works of historical and cultural significance.

As the episode progresses, viewers are taken on a whirlwind tour of the New Horizons art world, and of the contemporary art scene in Israel more broadly. They meet with artists, dealers, and collectors, all of whom share their unique perspectives on the value and significance of Tarkay's collection. They learn about the tension between the artists' desire for creative freedom and their need to create art that is saleable and marketable. And they witness the ways in which art can become a powerful symbol of identity and cultural heritage.

Throughout the episode, Colby and Eshel work together to unravel the mysteries of Tarkay's collection, and to determine how best to honor the legacy of this remarkable art collector. They explore the complex legal and logistical issues involved in managing a collection of this size and value. And they struggle with the emotional weight of Tarkay's bequest, and of the difficult choices that must be made in order to celebrate and perpetuate his vision.

In the end, "The Mogul and the Artist" is a fascinating exploration of the world of contemporary art, and of the profound ways in which it can shape our understanding of ourselves and our world. It is a testament to the enduring power of art, and to our ability to find meaning and beauty in even the most unexpected of places.