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Getty to Return Art; Italians Drop Charges

Civil case against museum's curator ends; criminal case continues

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 26, 2007 11:48 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Following the outlines of a deal struck in August, the Getty Museum formally pledged yesterday to return to Italy 40 works from its collection. As a result of the agreement, which repatriates such masterpieces as an Aphrodite from the 5th century BC, Italian authorities dropped civil charges against Getty curator Marion True. Her criminal trial for trafficking antiquities continues, reports the Los Angeles Times.

True and dealer Robert Hecht were indicted by an Italian court in 2005 for knowingly acquiring looted works of art, and relations between Italy and the Getty have been strained ever since. Applications for loans have been ignored or delayed, but soon after August's agreement several Italian museums suddenly approved pending transfer requests. The Getty will also receive long-term loans from Italy to fill the new gaps in its collection.

Marion True, who remains on trial in Italy for antiquities trafficking.
Marion True, who remains on trial in Italy for antiquities trafficking.   (CBC)
This undated photo provided during a press conference by the Italian Culture Ministry in Rome, Thursday Aug. 2, 2007, shows a 5th century B.C. 2.2-meter (7-foot) statue of the goddess Aphrodite. Italian Culture Minister Francesco Rutelli gave a press conference Thursday on a deal reached with the J....
This undated photo provided during a press conference by the Italian Culture Ministry in Rome, Thursday Aug. 2, 2007, shows a 5th century B.C. 2.2-meter (7-foot) statue of the goddess Aphrodite. Italian...   (Associated Press)
J. Paul Getty museum director Michael Brand, with red tie, signs an agreement at the Italian culture Ministry, in the presence of Getty attorney Luis Li, left, Italian Culture Minister Francesco Rutelli, right with light-blue tie, and Minsitry aide Danny Berger, in Rome, Tuesday Sept. 25, 2007. Italian government officials...
J. Paul Getty museum director Michael Brand, with red tie, signs an agreement at the Italian culture Ministry, in the presence of Getty attorney Luis Li, left, Italian Culture Minister Francesco Rutelli,...   (Associated Press)
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Backstory on the Getty-Italy strained relationship
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art • Italy • J. Paul Getty Museum • marion true

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