In a long and fascinating story in the Star-Telegram, Gaile Robinson tracks the history of a sculptural bust in the collection of the Kimbell Art Museum. The piece was spotted by Nazi art hunter, Robert Edsel (profiled here), who found a photograph in Italy that showed the work being removed from the Altausee salt mine, where Adolf Hitler had stored the art he planned for a massive museum project.
That discovery sent off the kind of red flag that keeps museum directors awake at night in cold sweats. If it was discovered that the piece was stolen by the Nazis, the Kimbell would be liable for compensating the descendants of the victims.
Did the Kimbell get off the hook? Find out.
