Hitler's Hidden Treasure | Raiders of the Lost Art Ep. 1

In March 2012, German investigators raided the modest Munich apartment of an 80 year old recluse named Cornelius Gurlitt. He had not appeared on television since 1963. He had no tax records, no health insurance, and was almost entirely unknown to the German state. What investigators found inside his flat would become one of the most significant art discoveries of the postwar era: over 1,400 works by artists including Picasso, Matisse, Chagall, and Otto Dix, many of them missing for more than 70 years. This episode traces the story back to the 1930s and Cornelius's father, Hildebrand Gurlitt, an art historian and dealer closely tied to the German avant garde. When the Nazis came to power in 1933, Hitler's regime declared modern art an enemy of the state, culminating in the infamous 1937 Degenerate Art exhibition in Munich, which drew two million visitors eager to see the very art the Nazis claimed to despise. From this campaign of cultural destruction and confiscation, Hildebrand Gurlitt emerged as one of the dealers entrusted with handling looted and confiscated works, including pieces destined for Hitler's planned Führermuseum. Decades later, that same collection would resurface in his son's apartment, setting off an international legal and ethical battle over restitution that continues to this day. #FreeDocumentary #HistoricalDocs #FullFreeMovies Welcome to Historical Docs, your gateway to a captivating journey through time. Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of human history as we present full-length, high-quality documentaries that explore a vast range of eras, timelines, and remarkable individuals from every corner of the world. From epic wars and battles that shaped nations to groundbreaking historical discoveries, our free channel brings you the stories that have shaped our collective past. We delve deep into the chronicles of history, unravelling the narratives and shedding light on the triumphs, struggles, and pivotal moments that have shaped our world. Subscribe to our channel, and join us as we uncover the fascinating human civilizations of times past and embark on an enlightening exploration of our shared heritage.