How did the Bassano Leave Italy? (ctd.)

January 9 2024

Image of How did the Bassano Leave Italy? (ctd.)

Picture: Getty

Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:

Regular readers will remember the controversy in 2021 regarding questions surrounding the export from Italy of Jacopo Bassano's The Miracle of the Quails. The work, which received an export license in 2017 with a valuation of €120,000 (later reduced to €70,000), was eventually acquired by the Getty in Los Angeles where it was cleaned and upgraded to the artist in full (reports indicate that it was initially exported as 'Attributed to Bassano'). In light of the acquisition, the relevant cultural ministry in Rome decided to annul the export license, which led to a legal battle between the museum and Italian state. 

The Art Lawyers Association have just published an extended article by Giuseppe Calabi on the most recent developments in the case (spotted via. @artlawalex on 'X'). Essentially, an Italian court ruled in November that the export license will not be revoked, which Calabi claims will set a major precedent for cases in the future. Click on the link to read the whole article, which is most fascinating indeed.

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