The Ghent Altarpiece was hidden in Austria's Altaussee salt mine alongside 6,500+ looted artworks during WWII. Nazi officials planted bombs to destroy everything—but local miners secretly removed the explosives. US Army's Monuments Men discovered it in 1945, and it returned to Belgium that August. One panel called 'The Judges' (stolen 1934) is still missing. A stockbroker reportedly claimed on his deathbed to know its location. 🏛️⚔️
Ghent Altarpiece recovered from Austrian salt mine after Nazi theft
Key facts
- The Ghent Altarpiece was seized by Hitler during World War II for his planned Führer Museum in Austria
- The painting was hidden in the Altaussee salt mine along with over 6,500 looted artworks
- Nazi officials placed bombs in the mine with orders to destroy everything, but local miners secretly removed the explosives
- US Army's Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives program discovered the altarpiece in the mine in 1945
- The painting was flown back to Belgium in August 1945, becoming the first major artwork returned after Nazi looting
- One panel called 'The Judges' stolen in 1934 remains missing; a stockbroker named Arsène Darcier claimed on his deathbed to know its location
Sources
The old salt mine where Nazis hid stolen art - BBCbbc.com
How did the art stolen by the Nazis and hidden by Hitler underground survive World War II?
Altaussee Salt Mines Guide: Nazi Looted Art in Austria - TripSavvytripsavvy.com
... Nazi-looted art rescued by the Monuments Men at the end of WWII ... For those interested in following along with the last days of the Nazis ...
The art hidden from Nazi bombs - BBCbbc.com
The secret WW2 magazine ridiculing Hitler's mother. Hiding in an attic, Jewish man Curt Bloch found inspiration through crafting anti-Nazi ...
Monuments Men: The Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives Programthenmusa.org
As the Nazis made their way across Europe during World War II, one of ... Many of the artworks looted by the ERR were for Hitler's proposed Fuhrermuseum.
In the footsteps of history inside Altaussee salt mine - Salzweltensalzwelten.at
... Nazi looters, dangerous bombs ... He did everything in his power to implement Hitler's original order and destroy the artworks in the Altaussee salt mine.
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