Orléans Museum of Fine Arts launches international appeal to find 424 paintings missing since 1940

The Orléans Museum of Fine Arts has announced the intensification of its search campaign, "Wanted," aimed at recovering 424 paintings that disappeared from its collections in June 1940. This initiative, initially local, is set to take on an international dimension, with the museum seeking the help of the global community for the location and restitution of these artworks.

The disappearance of these works dates back to a dark period in history, in the midst of the June 1940 debacle. Since then, despite continuous efforts, a significant number of these paintings remain untraceable, constituting a notable loss for French artistic heritage.

By expanding its campaign internationally, the Orléans Museum of Fine Arts hopes to mobilize a broader and more diverse audience, including art historians, collectors, museums, and the general public, in the hope of obtaining new leads or information that could lead to the recovery of the missing works.

This approach is part of a desire to preserve and reconstruct cultural heritage, recalling the importance of memory and the need for vigilance regarding the protection of artistic assets in times of conflict.