LOST ART

PHOTO: Signal Corps Archive from United States, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

 "The United States Government has estimated that German forces and other Nazi agents before and during World War II had seized or coerced the sale of one fifth of all Western art then in existence, approximately a quarter of a million pieces of art... to this day, some tens of thousands of artworks stolen by the Nazis have still not been located."

 Spiegler, Howard (2001). "Recovering Nazi-Looted Art: Report from the Front Lines". Connecticut Journal of International Law

"Hundreds of thousands of cultural objects that disappeared during and after World War II remain missing today. Some are in the United States. To date, the Foundation has successfully located and returned to rightful owners - private collectors, public museums and libraries, and national archives - more than 30 objects, including paintings and drawings, tapestries, rare books and documents. Many of these objects are priceless – some, of the highest historical importance. The Foundation serves all constituencies, from victims of the Holocaust, to veterans, to foreign governments or local museums." Monuments Men and Women Foundation Website

"The Foundation's 'Most Wanted' lists of missing works of art and cultural objects constitute the first cross-border database of wartime property. This approach makes searches for high-profile objects easy for individuals and institutions seeking to recover their missing property, and easy for the media and general public to understand. Its toll free tip line [1-866-WWII-ART, or 1-866-994-4278], the first service of its kind, provides a simple path for those who may be in possession or have knowledge of missing objects to come forward with vital information. Many of the Foundation’s successful returns have been the result of exactly these type of leads. It is a proven method of broadening the search for such objects. The Foundation staff is presently researching hundreds of leads it has received from people of good will. More discoveries are sure to follow." Monuments Men and Women Foundation Website