The Monuments Men

For those of you not that familiar with WWII, some background. When the Nazis came to power, as part of their actions against Jewish (and other populations), assets were seized, including works of art. Some, in particular art favored by Hitler and other officials was selected for personal use and also for display in German museums, including those to be built after victory.

Other works, considered degenerate (such as those by modernist and abstract painters), was displayed for mockery by the public, but as much as they didn't like the art, they liked the funds that could be obtained by selling it.

As the war was nearing its end, museums and art scholars were concerned about losses and damage to cultural treasures of Europe, both from war activity and from looting. The new movie, The Monuments Men, will tell this story (with the additional benefit of having the historical figures played by major Hollywood stars).

While it remains to be seen how accurate the film (based on a book of the same name) will be, there are many amazing true stories about how art professionals here and in Europe acted to hide and save works of art (as well as saving artists and scholars).

The book "Rape of Europa" has some fascinating stories. Even in America, the threat was serious enough that masterpieces from the major museums were shifted to parts of the country that were presumed safer.

Even to this day, art that was stolen during the war is still being returned (or settlements made) to family members or their descendents. And there is still a lot of art that has not yet re-appeared. Perhaps not lost for all time, as the recent discovery in Munich