Villa stein garches le corbusier biography

Built by Corbusier in 1927 for Gertrude Stein’s sister-in-law, Sarah, her husband Michael and their friend Gabrielle de Monzie. It is considered one of  Corbusier’s largest and grandest family homes of the period and an important milestone in his career.

Born Sarah Samuels, married to Gertrude Stein’s brother Michael, the couple built up an important art collection with a particular focus on Matisse.

They are credited with financially helping Matisse open a school of art with Sarah as one of the pupils and bringing Matisse to the attention of the American public.

Pre WW1 the Steins gave Berlin gallery owner Fritz Gurlitt, nineteen important works of art for an exhibition in Berlin.

When the war broke out they couldn’t access their works and it is reported that they were never able to get back their art, regardless of tracing it with the help of a private detective. The Gurlitt family later gained notoriety when Wolfgang and Hildebran