The Continuing Saga of NAZI Art Theft & Recovery, presented by Dr. Edward Gordon
Sat, Mar 13, 2027 · 1pm–2pm · Palm Springs Air Museum · Palm Springs
This is the story of how the Nazis literally raped Europe of its art masterpieces, but also its gold, jewelry, rare books, and other collectables. They were stolen from museums and churches and from Jews and others who were deemed enemies of the people. Adolf Hitler alone amassed about 9,000 paintings.
Historian Edward E. Gordon will discuss:
What were Hitler’s plans for his massive art collection?
Who were the other leading Nazi art thieves?
Where were all these valuable items hidden?
How did museums attempt to protect their major art treasures?
Why did neutral European countries profited before and after the war?
The second part of the program will explore the long history of the efforts to recover these valuables and restore them to their rightful owners This saga begins with the Monuments Men, art specialists who were recruited by the Allied forces to locate and identify the enormous stockpiles of artworks and other valuables concealed in numerous locations throughout Europe. Now 78 years after the end of World War II, the story of the greatest theft in recorded history is far from over as artworks that were thought lost are discovered and endless litigation among individuals, museums, and nations continues over who has the legitimate claim to valued artworks. Among the issues that will be explored are:
What efforts and agreements have been developed to facilitate the return of stolen art?
Why is reclaiming stolen art so difficult?
How much lost art remains to be recovered?
