Getty to Italy: basta!

On Nov. 21, the J. Paul Getty Museum abruptly ended negotiations with Italy over the return of 52 objects that Italian officials say were looted from their soil. Getty director Michael Brand submitted a six-page letter to Italian culture minister Francesco Rutelli saying that the museum would turn over 26 of the disputed works per an agreement reached in October. According to the Getty statement, the museum decided to return the 26 objects "despite the Ministry's apparent repudiation of an agreement signed jointly by representatives of the Ministry and the Getty in Rome on October 5," which involved a guarantee of long-term loans of artworks and future collaboration. The statement prompted a repeated demand by Rutelli for the return of all the objects, after which Brand issued a statement saying the Getty was "deeply saddened" by Italy's response and that the museum would be quick to respond if the Ministry wished to resume discussions.

The Getty's stand was the result of a breakdown in negotiations over six works, including the bronze Statue of a Victorious Youth and the limestone Cult Statue of a Goddess, thought to depict Aphrodite. The museum asserted that Italy had "no valid legal claim" to the bronze, which was found in 1964 in international waters and only briefly passed through Italy during shipping. In an opinion piece in the Los Angeles Times, Brand explains that the Getty acquired the bronze in 1977 "after Italian courts had declared that there was no evidence that it belonged to Italy." In a Nov. 20 letter to Rutelli, he notes that the bronze is in fact of Greek origin and that it was taken from Greece by the Romans in ancient times. The Getty determined that evidence was inconclusive on the limestone piece and proposed joint ownership of the cult statue while further research is conducted by both sides. After being rebuffed, the museum was prepared to transfer title during the research period, but Italy rejected both scenarios and is insisting on full ownership, prompting the Getty to retain the piece.

The negotiations are inextricably bound up with the ongoing trial in Rome of former Getty curator Marion True and art dealer Robert Hecht. A lawyer for the culture ministry told the New York Times that if True "is found guilty, the pieces will revert to the Italian government; if she is found innocent, the Getty will decide what to do." During a press conference at which journalists were provided with thick packets of evidence being used in the trial, Rutelli stated: "We were looking for an amicable settlement, considering that a trial is under way; that's why we were surprised."

The Italian government has reached agreements with the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston involving the return of looted objects in exchange for long-term loans from Italy (on the heels of the Getty's announcement, the Italian culture ministry held press conferences in late November to present two works to the Met and the Boston MFA as part of its arrangement). Italy is still negotiating with the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Princeton University Art Museum.

In related news, Italy is now attempting to use "moral suasion" in seeking the return of some 20 objects from the collection of Met trustee Shelby White and her late husband, Leon Levy. The couple donated $20 million for the museum's revamped Greek and Roman galleries, set to open Apr. 20, and works from their holdings will be on view. Italian officials have said that they are not accusing her of being involved in any crime, but have linked certain works in her collection to convicted dealer Giacomo Medici and London dealer Robin Symes, who is under investigation.

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