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 wrote the best-seller book and a sequel, Saving Italy. He has also produced a documentary and founded a non-profit organization to continue the effort to find stolen art and return it to its rightful owners. He hopes to educate the public and raise awareness of the fact that many valuable items are still unaccounted for.
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 himself made an exciting discovery, finding two missing masterpieces in a Dallas museum. However, although the paintings were once seized from the Rothschild family, they may have been returned and later sold. The documentation of transfer has not yet been found, so rightful ownership is unclear.
Edsel's Monuments Men Foundation continues to reach out to the public in this restoration effort. Many servicemen brought home souvenirs from Europe, and among these may be some of the missing objects. Recently a veteran returned two books, both over 400 years old, to the Foundation. Hopefully others with World War II souvenirs in their attics will check out the list of missing objects to see if they might have one or more in their home.
The book inspired the movie, which is a light-hearted look at this true story of heroism and sacrifice. However, for more in-depth information, get the book and its sequel and check out the website for the Monuments Men Foundation. You might want to look at the photos of still-missing masterpieces, too, in case you have the Van Gogh or the Raphael on your wall.
Robert Edsel wrote the best-seller book and a sequel, Saving Italy. He has also produced a documentary and founded a non-profit organization to continue the effort to find stolen art and return it to its rightful owners. He hopes to educate the public and raise awareness of the fact that many valuable items are still unaccounted for.
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 himself made an exciting discovery, finding two missing masterpieces in a Dallas museum. However, although the paintings were once seized from the Rothschild family, they may have been returned and later sold. The documentation of transfer has not yet been found, so rightful ownership is unclear.
Edsel's Monuments Men Foundation continues to reach out to the public in this restoration effort. Many servicemen brought home souvenirs from Europe, and among these may be some of the missing objects. Recently a veteran returned two books, both over 400 years old, to the Foundation. Hopefully others with World War II souvenirs in their attics will check out the list of missing objects to see if they might have one or more in their home.
The book inspired the movie, which is a light-hearted look at this true story of heroism and sacrifice. However, for more in-depth information, get the book and its sequel and check out the website for the Monuments Men Foundation. You might want to look at the photos of still-missing masterpieces, too, in case you have the Van Gogh or the Raphael on your wall.
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