1.
Based on what you have learned in class this week, define tangible cultural heritage and write a brief summary of why saving tangible cultural heritage matters.
Tangible cultural heritage refers to physical images of culture that are created by humans, such as artwork, manuscripts, sculptures, and architecture. “Tangible cultural heritage facilitates cultural cohesion by cultural beliefs, ideas, and practices” (Parylak,2020). Tangible heritage matters as it is served to better understand and to help people to connect to their culture. Having a tangible representation of culture may help an individual to better understand and connect with their heritage. 2.
Explain what the true Monuments Men were tasked with doing and provide one specific example of an artifact they are known to have reclaimed. In regard to the artifact you choose, be sure to provide the following information with details from the research:
In World War II, the allied armies organized a group of men who were to protect national monuments and valuable artifacts, these men were known as the Monument Men. The Monument Men were instrumental in recovering stolen art and returning them to their rightful places. As the allies liberated Nazi-occupied territories, the Monument Men discovered 1,500 repositories containing thousands of artifacts. The Monument Men still exist and operates today (Wullschlager et al, 2012).
Michelangelo’s Madonna and Child was reclaimed from Altaussee in 1945. This sculpture, originally created in Italy, had been stolen from Bruges Belgium but originally left Italy during Michelangelo’s lifetime. The Madonna of Bruges is significant as it differs from other statues depicting Mary with baby Jesus. Usually, depiction shows a smiling Mary, looking down and holding on to baby Jesus, this statue did not depict that, however, it shows a frowned face Mary with baby with baby Jesus to her lap. The Madonna of Bruges is noted to be the only Michelangelo piece to leave Italy during his lifetime (The Monument Men).
