The University Art Museum has lost one of its marbles.
A portion of a 2nd century marble funerary monument that had been on view at the University Art Museum since 1985 was sent back to Italy in early July after curator Michael Padgett discovered the piece had been illegally exported from its home near Tibur, Italy.
When Padgett noticed a photograph of the Italian excavation of the piece in an art and archeology journal in March 2000, he reported the dubious exportation to the Italian authorities in the United States, who asked the University to hand the piece over.
"[The picture] was proof that the piece had been in Italy, and we thought the Italians would want to know about it," he said. "They are satisfied it has been returned."
Padgett said that the Italians probably would not comply with the University's request to borrow the piece on a long-term basis.
"It's just like buying a used car. It behooves you to investigate it, but in this case we didn't find any wrongdoing," Padgett said.
The University bought the tomb fragment from a New York art dealer in 1985.
Padgett said it is common for museums and universities to acquire pieces that have been smuggled because exportation laws have become stricter over the years, and countries rarely grant authorized exportation permits.
"It's just one of those cases where we accidentally bought a piece that had been illegally exported," Padgett said. "No one likes to admit that they made a mistake. We try to avoid it, and when we fail we try to correct it."
Padgett felt his contacting the Italian authorities "enhanced the reputation" of the museum in the face of a slightly diminished Roman relief collection.
As a result of the mistake, the University has lost one of the most popular and frequently exhibited sculptures in the museum's Roman art collection.
Hugo Meyer, who this semester teaches ART 308: Roman Cities and Countryside: Republic to Empire, will have to look to other examples in the museum with the loss of what he called "an ideal teaching piece."
"It permitted us to compare individual pieces and determine sequences and stylistic developments," Meyer said, referring to the Hadrianic bust atop a shield and a nearly complete Latin inscription on the base of the piece. "It gave details about the tomb, what it looked like and who it belonged to. It was a very interesting monument. A pity we had to part with it."
Padgett acknowledged the loss of the piece, but he said a museum should not only collect artifacts but also share them with scholars and students around the world.
In the pediment's former place, Padgett has displayed another marble statue, "Mithras Slaying the Cosmic Bull."
"We've had that one for nearly 100 years so we know there aren't any problems with it," Padgett said.
Read More
Students weigh in on changes to hours at Murray-Dodge Café
Eojin ParkMurray-Dodge’s hours have been cut nearly in half. Previously, Murray-Dodge was open from 3 p.m. to midnight every day. Amid other closures of campus cafes, its hours have been reduced to 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily.
Murray-Dodge’s hours have been cut nearly in half. Previously, Murray-Dodge was open from 3 p.m. to midnight every day. Amid other closures of campus cafes, its hours have been reduced to 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson reflects on path to the Supreme Court in campus lecture
Isaac Bernstein and Justus WilhoitAt Princeton’s Harlan Lecture, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson discussed her journey to the Supreme Court, the power of dissenting opinions, and the importance of inspiring future generations.
At Princeton’s Harlan Lecture, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson discussed her journey to the Supreme Court, the power of dissenting opinions, and the importance of inspiring future generations.
Student employment in flux as University navigates budget cuts
Kian PetlinThe future of student employment remains uncertain amid budget cuts, with impacts ranging from reduced hours to staffing shortages.
The future of student employment remains uncertain amid budget cuts, with impacts ranging from reduced hours to staffing shortages.