[CPProt.net] Getty Museum to return disputed art works to Italy

[MSN CPPnet (Ton Cremers)]

Getty Museum to return disputed art works to Italy
Reuters
Oct. 3, 2005 - The J. Paul Getty Museum, one of the world's richest art
institutions, has agreed to return to Italy three archaeological treasures
its curator is accused of having acquired knowing they were looted.

Italy's Culture Minister Rocco Buttiglione said he would be sending an
official to Los Angeles to pick up the works. He wants the Getty to return
the rest of a total of 42 disputed Italian art treasures it has in its
collection.

"The works are returning without an admission of guilt on the part of the
Getty, but also without us withdrawing our accusations," Buttiglione said in
a comments to Corriere della Sera newspaper on Monday. His spokesman
confirmed the remarks.

In a case closely watched by the international art world, Italian
prosecutors charged the Getty's antiquities curator Marion True in July of
criminal conspiracy to receive stolen goods and illegal receipt of
archaeological artifacts.

The case involves 42 artworks that prosecutors believe were illegally
excavated or stolen and later acquired by the Getty, including a prized
ancient Greek statue of Aphrodite.

True denies the charges and the Getty has defended her.

"Without question, we will ask for the return of all pieces acquired on the
black market. When the proof in certain, we will demand it: we are already
imposing huge pressure. And not only on the Getty," Buttiglione said.

The three works the Getty has agreed to return are a large antique bowl
signed by Asteas, a painter from the ancient southern Italian city of
Paestum, a bronze Etruscan candelabra and an ancient Greek inscription.

True's trial, together with that of Paris-based art dealer Emanuel Robert
Hecht, is due to continue in November having been adjourned after opening
remarks in July in order to provide an English translation of the
proceedings.