Search for Polish art looted in WWII

A museum in Bydgoszcz, northern Poland, has recently recovered a number of works from a collection of art by the painter Leon Wyczółkowski which had been believed destroyed in World War II.

Self-portrait by Leon Wyczółkowski (1929).

Photo: PAP/Darek Delmanowicz

The collection had been held in a private home in Bydgoszcz. Some months ago, during renovation work at the apartment, a number of pieces were stolen by workers, who then attempted to sell them.

As a result, police managed to trace more than 400 items from the collection, as well as books and furniture which once belonged to the painter.

A search continues for thousands of priceless works of art looted from Polish collections.

Among the many initiatives which are joining the hunt is the virtual Lost Museum, which aims to preserve the memory of works of art that perished or were looted during wars, especially World War II.