Controversies of War Loot (you need to answer this for 2 students differently)
R ead chapter 11, pages 279-292 in online textLinks to an external site..
Art changes hands by legal means of purchasing artwork and by illegal means of acquiring through unethical ways during archaeological digs and during times of war. Artwork acquired by these means that are cited in the text include the Montezuma’s Headdress and other Aztec valuables taken by the Spaniards; the dissemination of Egyptian treasures taken by the ancient Romans, Napoleon, and the British; Greek treasures taken by the British; and Nazis taking works from Jewish collectors during WWII. This controversy has been addressed in recent issues of art magazines.
Discuss both sides of the issue in these cases.
Who are the current owners of the art?
Why was the art taken?
Was it taken through legal or illegal means?
Who should be the rightful owner?
Research sites like the Association of Art Museum Directors on the idea of provenance research in determining the rightful owner.
