WWII Art Looting

World War II art looting involved the systematic theft or seizure of artwork by Nazi Germany and occupying forces, targeting cultural treasures across Europe. The Nazis sought to acquire valuable art for personal gain, national pride, and to deplete Jewish and other persecuted communities of their possessions. Many pieces were confiscated from museums, private collections, and Jewish families, often under duress or through illicit means. After the war, efforts have been made to locate, identify, and return stolen artworks to their rightful owners, though many pieces remain missing or contested today.