About this season
Throughout history, some of the world's most amazing works of art have simply disappeared. Through re-enactment, rare archive, and expert comment we see how these treasures were looted, stolen or vanished into the archives. Some have been recovered but many more are still waiting to be found
Episodes (6)
1. Hitler's Art Dealer
Aired 1 January 2014 • 43 min
In Munich in 2013 a giant haul of missing masterpieces was discovered. Cornelius Gurlitt was the man behind it and we investigate how his father's job was to purchase works for Hitler himself as part of his Fuhrermuseum.
2. The Hunt for Fabergé Eggs
Aired 8 January 2014 • 43 min
Each year Carl Fabergé made a one of a kind Easter egg for the Tsar’s family. But Carl was forced to flee Russia during the revolution and 8 of these priceless Imperial Eggs went missing. With one of the elusive 8 recently uncovered could the others seven survived the chaos of 1917.
3. Van Gogh's Guardian
Aired 15 January 2014
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?
4. Monuments Men
Aired 22 January 2014
During WWII the Nazis plundered some of the world’s greatest art works as they tore across Europe. We find out how the Allies tracked them down, what they saved and what it still missing to this day.
5. Leonardo and the Mona Lisa
Aired 29 January 2014
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 Vinci's works were lost to history and had to be reclaimed.
6. Vanishing Vermeers
Aired 5 February 2014 • 43 min
The Dutch didn’t appreciate what they had. For 200 years Vermeer was completely forgotten. Try to recover a lost man’s masterpieces has driven men to great extremes and gave rise to one of the greatest forgers the world has ever seen.