MetaChat - Getty's Looted Art,

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25 September 2005

Getty's Looted Art, Museum attorneys say half the masterpieces in its antiquities collection can be traced to suspect dealers. Italy seeks return of 42 items.

post by: matteo at: 11:54 | 5 comments

"Are we willing to buy stolen property for some higher aim?"

"We know it's stolen."

posted by matteo 25 September | 11:56

I've read that all our museums are full of stolen stuff--the Met certainly has a lot.

Do European museums consider the stuff they got when it was part of their empires "stolen"?

posted by amberglow 25 September | 12:23

The British Museum/Elgin Marbles thing is probably the only thing i've heard about.

posted by amberglow 25 September | 12:24

The Getty has so much money, and they were so determined to become the Met of the West Coast and were on such a huge acquisition drive, that this doesn't really surprise me. Most established museums buy maybe 30 pieces a year and take the time to establish the provenance on each one, but the Getty was buying by the job lot like a 19th century robber baron, so naturally they're going to end up with looted stuff.

posted by mygothlaundry 25 September | 13:40

The most impressive thing about the getty isn't what is inside, but the view from outside...imho...

posted by Schyler523 25 September | 16:04

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