You have probably heard about the big-budget movie but may not have thought about the Monuments Men book that inspired the film. Both are based on true events. The author of the book released in 2009, Robert Edsel, has also written a sequel entitled Saving Italy. Although the Allied group of real life heroes was disbanded in 1951, the effort to retrieve stolen art objects continues to this day.
Robert Edsel has dedicated his personal fortune and his time in recent years to bringing attention to the World War II effort to return looted art to its rightful owners. He has produced a documentary, written a best-seller and its sequel, and founded a non-profit organization to educate and engage the public. It's a fact that many stolen treasures are still missing, and that others are still being discovered and returned.
The story is true and truly amazing. In 1943, a group of art historians, museum curators, architects, and other scholars dedicated to art were sent behind enemy lines to do what they could to preserve western culture. These were mostly middle-aged men and women, not professional soldiers. One was a veteran of World War I. They left their families and careers to risk their lives for a seemingly impossible mission.
Espionage was of course a part of this dangerous work. Two members of the unit were killed in the effort, which quickly expanded to include art recovery. Over five million valuable objects were taken from Nazi hoards or their supporters and later returned to their owners. The unit continued its work after the War ended, being finally disbanded in 1951.
Recent news shows the relevance of this subject today. In a Munich apartment, officials discovered more than 1400 valuable works of art which may be on lists of stolen objects. The German recluse who hoarded these treasures is the son of an art dealer commissioned by the Nazis to sell art deemed 'degenerate' by Hitler. He is asking for the return of the objects seized recently, claiming they are his by inheritance.
Edsel has devoted his personal fortune and his time to finding more lost masterpieces. He recently spotted two paintings on the 'still missing' list in a Texas museum. They were taken from the Rothschild family during the War. However, the documentation on the paintings is not available. Perhaps they were returned to the family and later sold legally or perhaps they are still stolen objects.
The Foundation continues to locate missing objects, some of which may have come to America with servicemen who looked at them as souvenirs. Recently two books, over 400 years old, were returned by the veteran who had brought them home. Edsel hopes that more people will examine the contents of their homes now that the subject has been dramatized by a major Hollywood film.
The engrossing book is an account of heroism that really happened as the world suffered through World War II. Espionage, daring, secret missions, and exciting discoveries were all part of the story. By the way, keep an eye out for the Raphael and the Van Gogh that are still missing, if you want to help get treasures back to those who once owned them.
Robert Edsel has dedicated his personal fortune and his time in recent years to bringing attention to the World War II effort to return looted art to its rightful owners. He has produced a documentary, written a best-seller and its sequel, and founded a non-profit organization to educate and engage the public. It's a fact that many stolen treasures are still missing, and that others are still being discovered and returned.
The story is true and truly amazing. In 1943, a group of art historians, museum curators, architects, and other scholars dedicated to art were sent behind enemy lines to do what they could to preserve western culture. These were mostly middle-aged men and women, not professional soldiers. One was a veteran of World War I. They left their families and careers to risk their lives for a seemingly impossible mission.
Espionage was of course a part of this dangerous work. Two members of the unit were killed in the effort, which quickly expanded to include art recovery. Over five million valuable objects were taken from Nazi hoards or their supporters and later returned to their owners. The unit continued its work after the War ended, being finally disbanded in 1951.
Recent news shows the relevance of this subject today. In a Munich apartment, officials discovered more than 1400 valuable works of art which may be on lists of stolen objects. The German recluse who hoarded these treasures is the son of an art dealer commissioned by the Nazis to sell art deemed 'degenerate' by Hitler. He is asking for the return of the objects seized recently, claiming they are his by inheritance.
Edsel has devoted his personal fortune and his time to finding more lost masterpieces. He recently spotted two paintings on the 'still missing' list in a Texas museum. They were taken from the Rothschild family during the War. However, the documentation on the paintings is not available. Perhaps they were returned to the family and later sold legally or perhaps they are still stolen objects.
The Foundation continues to locate missing objects, some of which may have come to America with servicemen who looked at them as souvenirs. Recently two books, over 400 years old, were returned by the veteran who had brought them home. Edsel hopes that more people will examine the contents of their homes now that the subject has been dramatized by a major Hollywood film.
The engrossing book is an account of heroism that really happened as the world suffered through World War II. Espionage, daring, secret missions, and exciting discoveries were all part of the story. By the way, keep an eye out for the Raphael and the Van Gogh that are still missing, if you want to help get treasures back to those who once owned them.
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