Robert Edsel Discusses The Monuments Men

Native Dallasite and SMU alumnus Robert Edsel began his career in the oil and gas exploration business. He moved to Europe in 1966 and settled in Florence, where he began to pursue his lifelong interest in the arts. Living among some of the greatest and most historically significant works of art in the world, he wondered how all of these monuments and treasures had survived the devastation of World War II. He decided to devote himself to finding the answer. He subsequently co-produced the documentary film The Rape of Europa (2006), based on the award-winning book by scholar Lynn Nicholas, and co-wrote Rescuing Da Vinci (2006), a photographic history of an art heist of epic proportions and the Allied rescue effort.

During his extensive research, Edsel became more and more fascinated by a group of a few hundred museum directors, curators, artists, and art historians whose task was to save and preserve what they could of Europe's great art from Nazi looters. This group was known as The Monuments Men. Edsel and his team worked tirelessly with members of Congress for over a year to develop, and ultimately pass, a resolution in 2007 that for the first time recognized and honored this great team of men and women from 13 nations. He also founded the Monuments Men Foundation for the Preservation of Art, which received the National Humanities Medal in 2007.

In his latest book, The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History (2009), Edsel recounts their powerful and moving story. At this event, he will share the story of his fascinating journey back in time, the painstaking research effort, and the personal dedication that went into producing this fascinating book.

Tickets are $15 (full), $10 (reduced), and $5 (student).