Art Market Monitor

Global Coverage ~ Unique Analysis

  • Contact Us
  • Podcast
  • Newsletter
  • AMM Fantasy Collecting Game
  • AMMpro

The Repatriation Game

December 10, 2008 by Marion Maneker

Maybe it was the news of the $60 million Malevich sale that gave President Medvedev the idea that he should start a paper trail of his own country’s looted treasures. Who knows?

Bloomberg’s John Varoli reports that the Russians are looking into the legality of sales from the Hermitage but it would seem the move is a way to establish a set of counter-claims against anyone seeking the return of works presently in Russian museums:

“The Hermitage has no plans to demand the return of artworks from anyone,” said Piotrovsky. “This is not possible today. However, we plan to resist attempts to make us return items, whether it is Germany or the Russian Orthodox Church, which have claims against Russian museums. Museum items, wherever they are, should remain in their museum collections.” Piotrovsky was referring to German claims asking Russia to return artworks that Soviet troops looted during and after World War II. The Hermitage has hundreds of so-called “trophy” artworks taken from German collections.

Russia to Review the Legality of Art Sales in the 1920s, Hermitage Says (Bloomberg)

More from Art Market Monitor

  • Score One for the RussiansScore One for the Russians
  • German Newspaper Publishes Restitution BombshellGerman Newspaper Publishes Restitution Bombshell
  • Russian Repression Comes Out in TrialRussian Repression Comes Out in Trial
  • Russian Curators Found Guilty, FinedRussian Curators Found Guilty, Fined
  • Autumn of the OligarchsAutumn of the Oligarchs
  • How Does Nazi-Looted Art Get Back to Its Rightful Owners? Slowly. Very Slowly.How Does Nazi-Looted Art Get Back to Its Rightful Owners? Slowly. Very Slowly.
  • Print
  • Tweet

Filed Under: General

Advertise on Art Market Monitor with Nectar Ads

Top Posts

  • The Famous Rauschenberg Scull Shoving Match Didn't Go Down the Way You Think It Did
  • David Hockney's $20m Pacific Coast Highway & Santa Monica
  • Artelligence Podcast: Adam Lindemann on How Auctions Work
  • Norman Rockwell's Not Gay. But Is He a Great Artist?
  • Peploe Leads Scottish Colourists at Lyon & Turnbull
  • The Economic Value of Michelangelo's David
  • How Park West Sold $93m in Peter Max Paintings
  • Re-discovered John Constable Painting at Sotheby's in December
  • Max Ernst's Long Career Captured in London Show this October
  • Sotheby's to Follow Sanyu Record with Quartre Nus This Spring in Hong Kong


  • About Us/ Contact
  • Podcast
  • AMMpro
  • Newsletter
  • Art Loans
  • FAQ

twitterfacebooksoundcloud
Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
Advertise on Art Market Monitor