While working in Rome, I’ve had an opportunity to visit a new exhibit, “The Chest of Stolen Treasures,” at the Carabinieri Museum. The small exhibition features objects recently recovered by the Carabinieri after they were illegally exported from Italy. Interestingly, most of the objects (whether fine art pieces or antiquities) have a connection with New York dealers or Swiss collectors, demonstrating that the sale of illicit objects in these two notorious art markets continues. The majority of the works were recovered in New York and were returned to Italian officials earlier this spring. A debt of gratitude is owed to the Carabinieri who diligently pursue restitution of stolen art and cultural objects.

Castel Sant’Angelo also currently features an exhibit related to art either purchased by or returned to the Italian State. The exhibit, “Lo Stato dell’Arte—L’Arte dello State” (“State of the Art—Art of the State”), highlights objects acquired by the Ministry of Culture. When viewed together, the collections provide a snapshot of cultural heritage protection and administration in Italy: Italy’s efforts to protect and reacquire objects (either through law enforcement action or purchase) provide the nation with the ability to successfully demonstrate its rich artistic heritage.