Raiders Of The Lost Art

Painted during Vienna's cultural heyday, Gustav Klimt's "Portrait of Adele" was confiscated by the Nazis during WWII

One of the world's most-famous works of art has been stolen on numerous occasions. Thieves in 1994 left a message saying only '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

Works spanning Rembrandts life from selfportraits to landscapes have been scattered across the globe These paintings now have a life and history all their own In this episode you will learn how Rembrandts works found their way worldwide and how that history impacts the art world

It took nearly three centuries for el Greco's paintings to be truly appreciated. no artist has ever been more ahead of his time.

Leonardo DaVinci is believed in many ways to have been the most talented individual who ever lived. But, While his greatest legacy remains in his art, we're still unearthing the secrets of how he worked.

Many believe Leonardo da Vinci was the epitome of the Renaissance and the most talented individual who ever lived A polymath da Vinci not only painted the Mona Lisa and the Last Supper but he also was a scientist and inventor While his greatest legacy remains in his art were still unearthing the secrets of how he worked

Jan van Eyck left behind a remarkable legacy of works, including the spectacular Ghent altarpiece, but very little evidence of who he exactly was. After he died, his reputation would only grow and grow, and his paintings would become highly sought after by buyers and thieves alike and, in the process, the mysterious tale of the van Eyck family would slowly be revealed.

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

Capturing the changing nature of light was the lifelong obsession of Claude Monet, the father of impressionism. The movement would have its roots in Paris, but would draw on diverse inspiration, to achieve its artistic visions.

Painted during Viennas cultural heyday Gustav Klimts Portrait of Adele was stolen from an Austrian familys home by the Nazis during WWII After the war one museum claimed Adele BlochBauer who died in 1925 had willed the work to it Subsequent records however revealed that Adeles widower Ferdinand BlochBauer who fled Nazi Germany left the painting to surviving familynbsp

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

Paul Cezanne inspired the most lauded artists of the 20th century, but he struggled for years to achieve anywhere near the levels of success. Today one of Cezanne's paintings is rumoured to have sold for the highest price in history.

It took nearly three centuries for El Grecos paintings to be truly appreciated No artist has ever been more ahead of his time

Joseph Mallord William Turner was hailed as a prodigy from an early age and went on to have a remarkably successful painting career. These experimental works would prove highly controversial amongst his contemporaries.

Jan van Eyck left behind a remarkable legacy of works including the spectacular Ghent altarpiece in the St Bavos Cathedral in Ghent Belgium There is not however much evidence of who van Eyck exactly was After he died his reputation grew and his paintings became highly sought after by buyers and thieves alike In the process the mysterious tale of the van Eyck family was slowly revealed

Raphael forms the trinity of great masters of the Italian high renaissance... alongside Leonardo and Michelangelo. All three of these artists were working in Rome at the same time. While Michelangelo and Leonardo reached old age, Raphael would die suddenly at just 37, but in that time he still produced a staggering array of works.

Claude Monet the father of impressionism had a lifelong obsession with capturing the changing nature of light That obsession resulted in works that inspired a movement Impressionism had its roots in Paris but Impressionist artists drew on diverse inspirations

Paul Cezanne inspired the most lauded artists of the 20th century but he struggled for years to achieve anywhere near their levels of success Today one of Cezannes paintings is rumored to have sold for the highest price in history

Along with Leonardo and Michelangelo Raphael forms the trinity of great masters of the Italian high Renaissance All three of these artists were working in Rome at the same time While Michelangelo and Leonardo reached old age Raphael died suddenly at just 37 but in that time he still produced a staggering array of works