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July 13, 2007

Italian Official Demands Getty Hand Over Artifacts

The J. Paul Getty Museum has been given a warning by Francesco Rutelli, Italy’s culture minister, to return more than 40 artifacts in its collection or be prevented from receiving loans of Italian art, reports the Los Angeles Times.

Mr. Rutelli said the museum has until the end of this month to hand over artifacts he believes were stolen from the country or else face “a real embargo.” In addition, he stated that the government would not cooperate with the museum on research or conservation efforts in Italy.

Officials in Italy have waged a global campaign to find other artifacts that they believe were stolen.

Getty’s director, Michael Brand, said a deal to give Italy 26 pieces from its collection broke down after 10 months of discussion when Italian officials demanded the return of the Getty Bronze, a statue the museum believes it obtained legally.

The museum denies knowingly purchasing stolen objects.

Read The Chronicle of Philanthropy’s coverage of the Getty Trust, which runs the museum.

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