Evening star., 1943-10-03
r -
/ Art
Notes
Salvaging the
Priceless Art
OF Europe
Bp Leila MechHn.


pride that while the war is still il
progress and at an acute stage ou
country has taken steps to safe
guard and salvage works of art il
Europe which constitute for all peo
pie a precious heritage from tn,
past.
The first move in this direction
was made last January by the Amer
lean Council of Learned Societies
under the auspices of which com
mittee composed of leading au
thorities in the field of art-arch'
eologists, museum directors, his
torians and otherS-WaS formed, no
only to call the attention of tht
Government to immediate need, bu
to place at its disposal the service!
OF those best qualified to advise.
The headquarters of the American
Council of Learned Societies is here
in Washington and its director i!
Waldo G. Leland, eminent historian
The special committee on sal
vaging art and historical monu.
mentS, established for convenience
and on the invitation of the truS-
tees. headquarters in the Metro
politan Museum. New York, and is
headed by William B. Dinsmoor
president of Archaeological Insti-
tute of America and head of the
Department of History of Colum-
bla University.
Serving on the committee are
Francis H. Taylor, director of the
Metropolitan Museum of Art; Davic
E. Finley. director of the National
Gallery of Art; Charles R. Morey
of the art department of Prince
ton University: Paul J. Sachs, pro-
fessor of art at Harvard; Henry M
Lyndenberg, librarian; Charles Hen
ry Chase, author, and Archibald
MacLeish. librarian of Congress.
Cooperation was established with
the Frick Library in New York
the largest research institution of
its kind-on art-and steps taken
TO assemble informative material
and ascertain other sources created
by experienced individuals-travel-
ers, refugees, scholars in all the
fields covered More than a thou
sand scholars and trained experts
have, it is said. volunteered their
services, although the work was
carried on very quietly.
Gouernmem Sanction
In August a second, but similar,
committee was appointed by the
President of the United States,
through the Department of State,
not to supercede the earlier one
but to give governmental authority
and sanction. Organization of this
committee was effected at a meet
ing held August IS in the National
Gallery of Art, at which arrange
ments were made to coordinate
the effort with the committee OF
the Learned Societies and also
with Government agencies. the
Army. the Navy and other govern
mental bureaus.
The suggestion of such forma-
ton was. it is reported. first pre-
sented by Chief Justice Stone, who
has had the matter much at heart,
and the chairman of the commit
tee is Associate Justice Owen D.
Roberts of the Supreme Court. Da-
vid E. Finley is vice chairman
HUNTINGTON Cairns. also of the Ma
tional Gallery, secretary. Included
in the membership are Herbert H
Lehman. foreign relief and re-
habilitation. Archibald MacLeish
library of Congress; William B
Dinsmoor. Francis H. Taylor and
Paul j. Sachs.
Already progress has been made
To our armed forces in Italy in
structions have been sent by the
military authorities to avoid as ta1
as possible injury to monuments
of historical significance and works
of art invaluable and irreplaceable
Maps designating such have been
placed in the hands of those re-
sponsible for bombingS These have
been prepared under the supervision
of the Army working in co-opera
ton with experts and scholars.
Also. looking ahead, Young men
trained for museum positions have
been delegated to the several schools
of military government as special
aides in the field, when. after the
conclusion OF war. the time comes
for salvage and restoration.
One of the most important OF
these teaching centeis was at the
University of Virginia, Charlottes-
vile. last summer. 1t will be in
large part the business of the official
committee to coordinate all these
diverse efforts.
Stolen Treasures
Nor is this all. Not since the days
of Napoleon has there been such a
shifting around of works of art in
Europe as has taken place during
the present war. Some information
concerning this looting of world
famous collections both public and
private. has leaked out and over
seas but in all probability the half
has not been told According to
report. practically the major part
of the great collections in Dutch
museums have been exchanged
for inferior works by artists of the
early German school without -
''by- -you-leaves" or thank you"
The whereabouts of the "Venu:
di Milo and the Victory of Samo-
thrace." which were in the Louvre
Paris. are unknown. When the Ger
mans headed toward Belgium for 6
second invasion, the treasures ir
the Museum of Brussels were packed
in vans and ordered to France ful
protection. What became of then
Is still unpublished.
Hitler has given himself, we are