A donation of 75 Old Master paintings, valued at an estimated $75 million, established the legacy of Michal Hornstein at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. This contribution remains the largest private gift ever made to a museum in Quebec, reflecting a lifelong commitment to cultural enrichment that spanned decades of professional success in the Canadian real estate sector.
Wartime Survival and Migration
After being captured by German forces and forced onto a transport train bound for Auschwitz, he managed to escape by jumping from the carriage. He spent the remainder of the conflict navigating the forests of Czechoslovakia, Budapest, and Bratislava. In a Bratislava safe house, he met Renata Witelson, who had survived by hiding in the Warsaw Ghetto, a convent, and various private residences. The pair married in Rome in 1946 before moving to Canada in 1951, encouraged by the Canadian ambassador to Italy.
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Upon settling in Montreal, Hornstein built a significant business career as an entrepreneur. He established Federal Construction Ltd., a real estate development firm where he served as president for the duration of his professional life. Through this entity, he generated the fortune that supported his subsequent extensive charitable activities. He became a Canadian citizen in 1957, fully integrating into the economic landscape of his adopted country.
Patronage of the Arts
Hornstein served on the board of trustees for the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts starting in 1970. Beyond governance, he facilitated the acquisition of numerous works and personally donated approximately 420 pieces to the institution. His efforts were instrumental in the expansion and restoration of the museum’s facilities. His impact culminated in the creation of the Michal and Renata Hornstein Pavilion for Peace, which opened in November 2016 to house the 75 Old Master paintings donated by the couple. Additionally, the museum includes another pavilion bearing their name, dedicated to Asian and Islamic art.
Philanthropy and Public Recognition
In addition to his museum work, Hornstein contributed to several healthcare and academic institutions in Montreal, including the Montreal Heart Institute, the Montreal General Hospital, Hôpital Notre-Dame, and the Jewish General Hospital. Concordia University recognized these efforts in 2014 by awarding him and his wife honorary doctorates. His broader public honors included becoming a Member of the Order of Canada in 1984, as well as being named a Knight, Officer, and finally Grand Officer of the National Order of Quebec between 1993 and 2013.
Fast facts
- Born: 1920, Tarnów, Poland
- Died: April 25, 2016, Montreal, Canada
- Citizenship: Canada (since 1957)
- Primary Occupation: Real estate entrepreneur
- Major Donation: 75 Old Master paintings, $75 million value
- Final Honor: Grand Officer of the National Order of Quebec (2013)
- Spouse: Renata Witelson
Questions readers ask
What was Michal Hornstein's primary business activity?
He was the founder and president of Federal Construction Ltd., a Montreal-based real estate company.
Which major museum did the Hornsteins support?
They were most prominently associated with the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, to which they donated hundreds of artworks and provided substantial funding for expansion.
Achievements
- Member of the Order of Canada
- Knight of the National Order of Quebec — 1993
- Officer of the National Order of Quebec — 2002
- Grand Officer of the National Order of Quebec — 2013
- Holdings: Return of the Prodigal Son
