The newly released film about brave men and women going behind enemy lines to protect western cultural treasures from the Nazis during World War II was inspired by the Monuments Men book by Robert Edsel. This Texan author and art lover has become dedicated to continuing the effort to restore valuable objects to their rightful owners. The book came out in 2009 and became a best seller. Edsel has written a sequel, Saving Italy, which continues the saga of the search.
Although the movie is not completely faithful to the book, Edsel is delighted with the exposure that Hollywood will provide to his personal cause. He has done a lot of research into looted art and monuments destroyed or damaged by war. He produced a documentary on the historic and on-going efforts to locate stolen treasure. Although many valuable objects have been returned, more remain on the missing list. Edsel now has a non-profit foundation dedicated to the search and to raising public awareness of the matter.
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.
Edsel's foundation continues to support the return of valuables, sometimes taken home by soldiers as souvenirs. Recently a veteran returned two rare and extremely old books he had in his home. The Hollywood movie may encourage others to examine the things they have that may fit in this category.
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.
Although the movie is not completely faithful to the book, Edsel is delighted with the exposure that Hollywood will provide to his personal cause. He has done a lot of research into looted art and monuments destroyed or damaged by war. He produced a documentary on the historic and on-going efforts to locate stolen treasure. Although many valuable objects have been returned, more remain on the missing list. Edsel now has a non-profit foundation dedicated to the search and to raising public awareness of the matter.
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.
Edsel's foundation continues to support the return of valuables, sometimes taken home by soldiers as souvenirs. Recently a veteran returned two rare and extremely old books he had in his home. The Hollywood movie may encourage others to examine the things they have that may fit in this category.
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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