This letter, which is addressed to philosopher Eric Gutkind, combines Einstein's thoughts on religion, his Jewish identity and his search for meaning in life. Written a year before Einstein's death in 1955, it remains the most articulate expression of his religious and philosophical views.
Einstein wrote this remarkable private letter in response to Gutkind's book, Choose Life: The Biblical Call to Revolt. He offers his candid and unqualified opinion that: “The word God is for me nothing but the expression and product of human weaknesses, the Bible a collection of venerable but still rather primitive legends. No amount of interpretation, no matter how subtle, can (for me) change anything about that. “And despite a strong cultural affinity with the Jewish people, Einstein did not exclude Judaism from criticizing him: he admired and loved his people, but it is clear in his belief that they were not “chosen” above others.
The letter represents Einstein's clearest and most important expression of his views on God, religion, and man's eternal search for meaning. This letter will be on view at Pace Gallery in San Francisco October 25, at Christie's San Francisco office by appointment October 29-31, and open to the public November 1 and in New York galleries prior to auction from November 30th to December 3rd. Tour details can be found on our website.
Image: Einstein, Albert (1879-1955). God's Letter. Autograph Letter Signed (“A. Einstein”) to Eric Gutkind, Princeton, January 3, 1954. Estimate: $1.000.000 -1.500.000.
