A mosaic panel, depicting an erotic issue from the Roman era, returned to the Pompeii Archaeological Park on Tuesday after being stolen by a German Nazi captain during World War II.
The work of art was repatriated by Germany through a diplomatic path, following a settlement of the Italian consulate in Stuttgart, Germany, after being returned by the heirs of the last owner, a deceased German citizen, according to thealbertan.com.
The owner had received the mosaic as a gift from a Vermacht captain who had been placed in the military supply chain in Italy during the war.
The mosaic – dating between the middle of the last century BC. And of the first century – it is considered a work of “excellent cultural interest”, experts said.
“This is the moment when the subject of family love is becoming an artistic theme”said Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii and co-author of an exhibition dedicated to the returned project. “While the Hellenistic period, from the fourth to the first century BC, praised the passion of mythological and heroic forms, we now see a new issue.”
The heirs of the last owner of the mosaic in Germany contacted the carabinieri unit in Rome, which is dedicated to the protection of cultural heritage and was responsible for the research, requesting information on how the mosaic to return to the Italian state. Authorities carried out the necessary checks to ascertain its authenticity and origin and then worked to repatriate the mosaic in September 2023.
The collaboration with the Pompeii Archaeological Park was also decisive, as it made it possible to trace it near the Vesuvian volcano, despite the lack of data on the original context of its discovery, Karabinieri said.
The mosaic was subsequently entrusted to the Pompeii Archaeological Park, where, after being properly recorded, it will be protected and available for educational and research purposes.
“Today’s return is like healing an open wound”Zuchtriegel said, adding that the mosaic allows the history of that period of the first century AD to be rebuilt before Pompeii was destroyed by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD.
The park manager also stressed how the return from its owner’s heirs marks a significant change in the “mentality”, as “the feeling of possession (stolen art) becomes a heavy weight”.
He recalled the so -called “Curse of Pompeii”, which according to a popular superstition beats anyone who steals objects in Pompeii.
The world -renowned legend suggests that those who steal findings from the ancient city of Pompeii will experience bad luck or misfortune. This has been fueled over the years by several tourists returning stolen objects, claiming that they have brought them bad luck and caused tragic events.
Source :Skai
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