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The J. Paul Getty Museum is under scrutiny for buying artifacts from vendors who allegedly looted ruins in Italy. Attorneys for the museum have concluded that half of their antiquities collection came directly from the vendors in question. The list of stolen artifacts includes ancient urns, vases and a 5-foot statue of Apollo. The Italian government has recovered Polaroid photographs from a wherehouse in Switzerland that show the artifacts in their un-restored condition shortly after being dug from the ruins. Italy is requesting the return of 42 objects although it has been determined that the actual number of stolen pieces that were purchased is 82.

The situation looks rather grim for the institution as The Times has uncovered incriminating documents dating as far back as 20 years. These documents show that Getty officials had sufficient knowledge that their suppliers were selling merchandise that had probably been looted. In letters to The Getty dealers made open remarks as to excavation sites in direct violation with Italian laws. Among other findings is a Getty memo indicating that dealer Giacomo Medici informed the museum that three of objects they were purchasing were taken from ruins near Nepal after the government made it illegal. The list of documents goes on and on. Italian authorities have charged Marion True, The Getty’s curator of ancient antiquities along with Medici and another dealer by the name of Robert Hecht Jr. with conspiring to traffic in looted antiquities.

Here’s a couple of question I have for the brain surgeons over at the museum; Why would you keep a memo that says, hey your buying stolen goods? Memo’s are for running out of milk or conference calls. Haven’t you ever heard of burning the evidence? In case you kids didn’t know paper is flammable. Next time some guy in a long trench coat sporting a monstrous statue shaped erection asks you into an alley or the trunk of his car what do you say? You know you kids are pretty lucky that you purchased actual artifacts and didn’t wind up with some porcelain Zeus with a made in Singapore sticker under its left sandal. Keep that in mind the next time you might not be so lucky.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the museum its founder J Paul Getty opened up a wing in his Malibu estate back in 1953 to share his collection of Roman and Greek artifacts. Today the museum is located atop California’s Santa Monica Mountains. The founder’s love of art is not only highlighted by its extensive collection of sculptures, paintings, manuscripts and photographs but also by the walls that hold them. The museum is a masterpiece in itself designed by architect Richard Meier. Every corner of the Getty boasts of art including its beautiful gardens designed by landscape architect Robert Irwin. I sincerely hope the greed and poor judgment of recent Getty officials doesn’t overshadow its overall beauty.

You can read more about the investigation here