Comments on: Scandal! Vasari archives sold to Russian firm http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/3715 History fetish? What history fetish? Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:54:06 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: livius drusus http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/3715/comment-page-1#comment-39122 livius drusus Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:13:14 +0000 http://www.thehistoryblog.com/?p=3715#comment-39122 I have read about that. I would say Vittorio Sgarbi thinks it's a more of a scam than a prank, a ploy by the Festari heirs to force the government to purchase the papers for way above their estimated value. I have read about that. I would say Vittorio Sgarbi thinks it’s a more of a scam than a prank, a ploy by the Festari heirs to force the government to purchase the papers for way above their estimated value.

]]> By: M http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/3715/comment-page-1#comment-38668 M Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:25:48 +0000 http://www.thehistoryblog.com/?p=3715#comment-38668 Your post caught my attention several days ago, and I've been following this story. Have you seen this recent article which suggests that the Vasari sale might be a prank? See here: http://www.thearttribune.com/Is-the-sale-of-the-Vasari-archives.html Your post caught my attention several days ago, and I’ve been following this story. Have you seen this recent article which suggests that the Vasari sale might be a prank? See here: http://www.thearttribune.com/Is-the-sale-of-the-Vasari-archives.html

]]> By: Jeffry W http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/3715/comment-page-1#comment-38023 Jeffry W Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:50:39 +0000 http://www.thehistoryblog.com/?p=3715#comment-38023 Funny how you mentioned the feeling of the London public when the Blue Boy was carted off the U.S, but what about the Parthenon marbles, the Benin Bronzes, the Rosetta Stone, and countless priceless artifacts the Britain looted from their native lands? What is your opinion on those loots, should they be returned to their rightful owners, to their birth of places? Surely Britain must have something of their own to display on their museums. Right? Funny how you mentioned the feeling of the London public when the Blue Boy was carted off the U.S, but what about the Parthenon marbles, the Benin Bronzes, the Rosetta Stone, and countless priceless artifacts the Britain looted from their native lands?

What is your opinion on those loots, should they be returned to their rightful owners, to their birth of places? Surely Britain must have something of their own to display on their museums. Right?

]]> By: Hels http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/3715/comment-page-1#comment-37880 Hels Tue, 27 Oct 2009 03:54:26 +0000 http://www.thehistoryblog.com/?p=3715#comment-37880 Every country in the world has faced this very question: what can be done to stop that country's cultural objects from being taken away? It is bad enough when the objects were stolen by private individuals or even looted by an invading army. The courts move so slowly that public galleries and museums almost never get their objects back. But it is almost impossible when the sale was legal and fair market value was paid. When Gainsborough's Blue Boy was about to be taken off to America, the National Gallery allowed viewers to come and stand before the painting in tears of loss. Huntington's name in the 1920s was as accursed as Ross Engineering's name will be now. Every country in the world has faced this very question: what can be done to stop that country’s cultural objects from being taken away?

It is bad enough when the objects were stolen by private individuals or even looted by an invading army. The courts move so slowly that public galleries and museums almost never get their objects back.

But it is almost impossible when the sale was legal and fair market value was paid. When Gainsborough’s Blue Boy was about to be taken off to America, the National Gallery allowed viewers to come and stand before the painting in tears of loss. Huntington’s name in the 1920s was as accursed as Ross Engineering’s name will be now.

]]> By: Jeffry W http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/3715/comment-page-1#comment-37819 Jeffry W Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:21:58 +0000 http://www.thehistoryblog.com/?p=3715#comment-37819 The Italian people and government cannot and must not let this sale to go through, considering how important Vasari's correspondence is. Too much Italian history lost already to the foreign hands. What's the point of going to a great length reclaiming ancient artifacts from major museums, if you can't save this very important documents? It's saddening how some greedy Italians present and the past are willing to sell their rich country history for a few more bucks (Assuming the actual sales is closer 20-30 million euros, a price that is more within the reach of the state to match. Of course 10-20 million euros is just not a few more bucks, but again can you not live and be satisfied with 20-30 million euros?) The Italian people and government cannot and must not let this sale to go through, considering how important Vasari’s correspondence is. Too much Italian history lost already to the foreign hands. What’s the point of going to a great length reclaiming ancient artifacts from major museums, if you can’t save this very important documents?

It’s saddening how some greedy Italians present and the past are willing to sell their rich country history for a few more bucks (Assuming the actual sales is closer 20-30 million euros, a price that is more within the reach of the state to match. Of course 10-20 million euros is just not a few more bucks, but again can you not live and be satisfied with 20-30 million euros?)

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