Raiders of the Lost Art

In Munich in 2013 a giant haul of missing masterpieces was discovered. Cornelius Gurlitt was the man behind it and we investigate how his fathers job was to purchase works for Hitler himself as part of his Fuhrermuseum.

When Van Gogh died he was a complete unknown, his paintings fetching under 10 dollars. So how did his works become some of the most revered and expensive in the world? His sister in law Johanna is to thank for that. With a new Van Gogh having been discovered just last year, where are the rest?

The story of the theft of the Mona Lisa in 1911 from the Louvre and how Pablo Picasso was accused if the crime. Plus the incredible tales of how many other of da Vincis works were lost to history and had to be reclaimed.

One of the world’s most famous works of art had been stolen on numerous occasions. Thieves in 1994 even left a message saying ‘thanks for the poor security’.

These works that span Rembrandt’s entire adult life have been scattered across the globe and had a life and history all their own.

This program traces the history of a famous painting The Lady with an Ermine by Renaissance master artist Leonardo da Vinci. Lost for centuries, this masterpiece has revealed the workings of the ultimate genius, Leonardo da Vinci.

Painted for the arrival of Paul Gaugin in Arles, this set of paintings by Vincent Van Gogh has gone on an astonishing journey ever since.

Johannes Vermeer was all but forgotten for centuries and this iconic work lay dormant, overlooked before it was rediscovered.

Turner showed his brilliance with this dazzling work. It was stolen in Frankfurt in 1998 and was bought back from the thieves in a curious deal.