Art has often been plundered or stolen during times of war, occupation, or even peace. This course explores the historical, political, and legal framework of specific moments when art has been taken. The class focuses on how art has been used for propagandistic purposes, as pawns in high-stakes politics, or as a “cash cow” in the legitimate or black market. It also looks at ethical issues of museum collecting, the debate over cultural property, and the dilemma of recovery or repatriation of stolen art. Case studies include the looting of Greece by the Romans; plunder of art from Italy and Egypt by Napoleon Bonaparte; removal of sculpture from the Parthenon by Lord Elgin; seizure by the Nazis of art from Jews and museums; recent cases of the looting of archaeological sites and museums, especially in conflict zones in the Middle East; and museum thefts in Europe and the U.S.
