Эксперт ФБР Роберт Виттман расскажет о реальном мире художественных преступлений в Монтгомери

The Rundown: Art on the Town The FBI’s real-life “Indiana Jones” is coming to Montgomery MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - Art theft, undercover investigations, stolen treasures and international crime, it may be based on a movie, but this week, the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts is giving visitors a look inside the very real world of art crime. For this edition of The Rundown: Art on the Town, we’re spotlighting a special evening with former FBI Special Agent and internationally recognized art-crime expert Robert K. Wittman, who spent two decades investigating the theft, fraud and trafficking of some of the world’s most valuable cultural treasures. Here’s what you need to know: Art Crime and the FBI’s Real-Life “Indiana Jones” Wednesday, September 2 | 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts Get ready to go behind the scenes of the international art world. Robert K. Wittman will take visitors inside the world of art theft, forgery, fraud, and the illegal trafficking of cultural property, sharing firsthand stories from undercover investigations throughout his career. Wittman will also reveal how undercover operations, historical research, international cooperation, and careful negotiation have helped investigators track down stolen objects and return them to their rightful owners. And we’re not talking about ordinary missing objects. His investigations have involved everything from the gold armor of an ancient Peruvian king to an original manuscript of the Bill of Rights, along with stolen artwork, antiquities, rare documents, and other culturally significant treasures. Meet the FBI’s Real-Life “Indiana Jones” Wittman spent 20 years as an FBI Special Agent, serving as the Bureau’s lead investigator in art crime and founding the FBI’s National Art Crime Team. During his career, he was responsible for recovering more than $300 million in stolen art and historical artifacts, with investigations spanning the United States and countries around the world. His experiences eventually inspired the New York Times bestseller Priceless: How I Went Undercover to Rescue the World’s Stolen Treasures, which takes readers inside the undercover operations he used to infiltrate networks responsible for stealing and selling valuable artwork. He’s also the author of The Devil’s Diary: Alfred Rosenberg and the Stolen Secrets of the Third Reich, chronicling the search for the long-missing diary of Nazi ideologue Alfred Rosenberg. Stay for the Book Signing The evening doesn’t end with the lecture. Following his presentation, Wittman will sign copies of both Priceless and The Devil’s Diary, giving visitors an opportunity to meet the former FBI agent behind these remarkable real-life investigations. The lecture and book signing are free and open to the public, and advanced registration is encouraged. Museum Members: Stick Around Museum members are invited to attend a private reception with Robert K. Wittman following the public lecture and book signing. Space for the reception is limited, and separate registration is required. Visitors interested in attending can also learn more about becoming a museum member through MMFA. The program is presented in partnership with The NewSouth Bookstore and the Montgomery City-County Public Library. More to Explore Whether you’re an art lover, a history buff, a true-crime fan, or simply curious about what happens when the worlds of art and criminal investigation collide, this special event offers a fascinating reason to spend an evening at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. 👉 Visit MMFA.org to register for the lecture, explore current exhibitions, and learn more about upcoming museum programs. Good to Know: - The lecture and book signing are free and open to the public - Advance registration is encouraged - Separate registration is required for the members-only reception - Free museum entry and parking Museum Hours: - Monday: Closed - Tuesday – Saturday: 10 AM – 5 PM - Sunday: 12 PM – 5 PM Stay connected with The Rundown for more features like this, and check back soon for your next Art on the Town spotlight. We’ll see you at the museum… and on the town. Not reading this story on the WSFA News App? Get news alerts FASTER and FREE in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store! Copyright 2026 WSFA. All rights reserved.