Art and Culture Quotes in Heist Society

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #4

"This is no collection! [...] They are prisoners of war." (14.54)

Mr. Abiram Stein doesn't believe that art should be kept in a basement. He wants his stolen paintings hung up so people can appreciate them, not unjustly hidden away as a result of wartime thievery.

Quote #5

"[The painting] was commissioned by a wealth French official. [...] It hung in the oldest son's home in Paris until the German occupation." (14.66)

One of the most interesting parts of Heist Society is its connection to one of the darker moments in art history: when the Nazis stole paintings from cities they plundered in World War II. This actually happened. Why did the Nazis do this, do you think? What did stealing art allow them to accomplish?

Quote #6

"The men those men gave it to were evil. These paintings were traded for terrible favors in terrible times." (14.79)

Is receiving stolen art an evil crime? Assume that Taccone did not know the paintings were stolen by Nazis—should he be responsible for returning them?