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.
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 book is the story of a group of art historians, museum curators, architects, and soldiers who made up a force sanctioned by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Well-known actors represent the World War I veteran, the ballet director, the art conservation expert, and the other scholars who left their families and risked the dangers of combat to preserve western culture.
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.
The fact that many items remain hidden was highlighted by the recent discovery of more than 1400 valuable objects in a Munich apartment. The man who hoarded these treasures claims they are rightfully his by inheritance. His father was an art dealer commissioned by Hitler to dispose of art considered 'degenerate'.
Robert Edsel himself spotted two listed paintings in a Dallas museum. They did turn out to be the paintings cataloged by the Nazis as objects taken from the Rothschild family. The documentation on the paintings is missing, however; they may have been returned to their rightful owner and later sold legally.
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 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 book is the story of a group of art historians, museum curators, architects, and soldiers who made up a force sanctioned by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Well-known actors represent the World War I veteran, the ballet director, the art conservation expert, and the other scholars who left their families and risked the dangers of combat to preserve western culture.
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.
The fact that many items remain hidden was highlighted by the recent discovery of more than 1400 valuable objects in a Munich apartment. The man who hoarded these treasures claims they are rightfully his by inheritance. His father was an art dealer commissioned by Hitler to dispose of art considered 'degenerate'.
Robert Edsel himself spotted two listed paintings in a Dallas museum. They did turn out to be the paintings cataloged by the Nazis as objects taken from the Rothschild family. The documentation on the paintings is missing, however; they may have been returned to their rightful owner and later sold legally.
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 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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