Whether you are an Art lover or history buff, The Rape of Europa is a documentary worth watching.
  The movie chronicles the systematic theft of Art masterpieces all over Europe during the second world war by Hitler and the Nazi party.
  This may not be news to many of you, but the scope of the thefts and the history behind it are fascinating. The Mona Lisa for instance, spent the war hiding in the French countryside safe and sound, unlike so many other artworks.  It's worth watching from a purely historical point of view, but as an artist I found a whole new appreciation for the world's great masterpieces. There is something about seeing the art so out of context that had such a profound effect on me. Photos of soldiers holding up paintings out on the street in war torn Europe...the art simply glows in those surroundings. These precious objects seem so full of life in a dull, sad world.
 
I came away inspired, wanting to make better art. To live up to the masters that went before.
 
  The return of stolen work is an ongoing process and the movie includes a truly touching moment about a German man who spends his life tracking down the owners of stolen Jewish treasures and returning them in person.
  A major revelation in the movie is a team of men who worked with the allies to preserve the cultural treasures of Europe. In the last year of the war, The Monuments Men tracked, located, and ultimately returned more than 5 million artistic and cultural items stolen by Hitler and the Nazis. Talk about art heroes!
  Here is a link to the movie's website: The Rape of Europa
  The documentary is available at amazon.com but check at your local Video rental store as well.