This first comprehensive analysis of the Third Reich’s efforts to confiscate, loot, censor and influence art begins with a brief history of the looting of artworks in Western history. The artistic backgrounds of Adolf Hitler and Hermann Göering are examined, along with the various Nazi art looting organizations, and Nazi endeavors to both censor and manipulate the arts for propaganda purposes. Long-held beliefs about the Nazi destruction of “degenerate art” are examined, drawing on recently developed university databases, new translations of original documents and recently discovered information. Theft and destruction of artworks by the Allies and looting by Soviet Trophy Brigades are also documented.

Arthur J. McLaughlin, Jr. is an independent art historian. He is the winner of the Robert Silver Award for Excellence in Teaching Art History, University of Delaware and taught the course “What Happened to Art in Europe During World War II” for ten years at Osher Life Long Learning Institute at the University of Delaware.

Arthur J. McLaughlin, Jr.
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages:
Bibliographic Info: ca. 25 photos, appendix,notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2021
pISBN: 978-1-4766-6641-9
eISBN: 978-1-4766-4483-7
Imprint: McFarland