Florentine Art under Fire

The True Story of a Monuments Man — Rescuing the Art of Florence

Florentine Art Under Fire, originally published in 1949 by Princeton University Press, is an extraordinary factual true story. It is an inspiring, poignant, and tragic recounting of the years that Lieutenant Frederick Hartt spent in Italy recovering and restoring works of the treasured art stolen by the Nazis from Italy during the Second World War. This must read tells, how innumerable invaluable works of art, a heritage belonging not only to the suffering Italians, but to the culture of the world, were at the brink of destruction. Recounted are little known facts about the struggles of the allied forces to reunite the masterpieces of art with the Italian homeland. As a first hand telling of this historic time in Italy, Frederick Hartt writes about the events in a gripping manner, revealing the heroism of the Monuments Men on the frontlines of the battlegrounds, and their selfless sacrifices to preserve the priceless art for the world. Hartt's profound love for Italy shines through his writing from beginning to the end, making this book a true page turner. — Frederick Hartt (1914 - 1991), the distinguished scholar of Italian Rennaissance art, was an Honorary Citizen of Italy and Knight of the Crown of Italy.