Louise Nevelson Sculpture at Long Island Synagogue for Sale

Temple Beth El, a synagogue in Great Neck, New York, has announced the sale of a monumental 55-foot-long Louise Nevelson sculpture titled "The White Flame of the Six Million." Commissioned in the 1960s as a Holocaust memorial and functional Torah ark, the white-painted wood installation has served as the centerpiece of the congregation's sanctuary for over 50 years. Due to dwindling membership and a decision to sell the synagogue property, the congregation is seeking a new home for the massive work.

The sale represents a rare opportunity to acquire a site-specific masterpiece by one of the 20th century's most significant sculptors, though its scale and religious provenance present unique challenges. After unsuccessful attempts to sell the work through Pace Gallery and Sotheby’s, the synagogue has appointed Ann Freedman of FreedmanArt to handle the private sale. The transition highlights the broader trend of religious institutions offloading significant cultural assets to manage changing demographics and financial sustainability.