Free Lecture in English on Recovering Stolen Artworks

In 2019, then Uffizi director Eike Schmidt ask for, and obtained, the restitution of a painting carried off by a Nazi soldier during WW2

Wednesday, April 2: “HIDDEN TREASURES: ITALY’S JOURNEY IN ART REPARATION AND CULTURAL HERITAGE LAW” by Professor Ettore Lombardi.  CEA-CAPA, via Pandolfini 20. 6:30 pm, followed by refreshments.  Free admission, RSVP to greverdito@ceacapa.com

This lecture explores Italy’s pivotal role in the global movement for art repatriation and the evolution of its cultural heritage laws. As a country with a rich artistic legacy and a history of significant cultural loss through looting and illicit trafficking, Italy has emerged as a leader in advocating for the return of cultural artifacts. The talk will examine key legal frameworks, and Italy’s participation in international treaties such as the UNESCO Convention of 1970. Case studies of high-profile repatriations will illustrate the legal and diplomatic strategies Italy employs to recover stolen heritage. Additionally, the lecture will analyze the broader implications of Italy’s efforts on global cultural policies, highlighting tensions between source nations and museums. Through this exploration, attendees will gain insight into the intersection of legal frameworks, cultural identity, and the ethics of cultural property restitution.