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They hated him for reporting it, but art expert Lewis Zander had it right. The renowned painting “Sunset Over Paris” was indeed the work of Adolph Hitler.

A blob of errant paint and part of the frame obscured the signature, but even before discovering that, Zander suspected the work was Hitler’s. Long admired and attributed to “artist unknown,” the cityscape looked like the natural progression of works by a formerly obscure German painter who—it was believed—quit and took on a new career.

Unlike Hitler’s earlier works, “Sunset Over Paris” is full of feeling and, well, beauty. There is a stillness reminiscent of Hopper, light stolen from Vermeer and a solitary figure, a distant silhouette of a man wearing a helmet and holding a rifle.

Even after the death threats started, Zander didn’t regret making the identification. This was his work and his integrity. Lewis didn’t like Hitler either, but the awful dictator seems to have done one good thing in his life. He deserved credit for it as surely as he deserved blame for the slaughter he committed and the never-fading scar he left on the planet.

At his university lectures, at least the ones that weren’t cancelled, noisy protesters drowned him out. Signs blocked the view of those who came to see. Sometimes there was vandalism, but fortunately no violence yet.

Lewis Zander lectured on modern European art. He had two books under his belt and countless oft-cited papers. He was affable, had a quick wit, and loved small animals. But now he was distinctly unpopular.

Meanwhile, art critics reconsidered their evaluation of “Sunset Over Paris,” calling it clumsy and crude. Most said it didn’t belong in a museum and that, given the chance, they wouldn’t buy it at a yard sale for $5.

Lewis’ book sales, never great as academic books have small audiences, dried up. The university press suggested they end their relationship.

Still, Lewis Zander persevered. It happened, of all places, in Paris. The gunman was, as one would expect, American. Fortunately, Albert Harold Wing had poor aim. Zander suffered only superficial injuries.

When police raided the gunman’s apartment in Ashland, Montana, they found seven guns and nearly 2,000 rounds of ammo. Also, a huge cache of original paintings. They were gorgeous.