The Cleveland Museum of Art and Italy Agree to Exchange of Antiquities

ROME, ITALY - The Cleveland Museum of Art and Italy’s Ministry for Cultural Assets and Activities have concluded an agreement concerning antiquities in the Museum’s collection and a mutual cultural and research exchange that opens a new era of cooperation between the Museum and Italy. After nearly two years of discussions, the Cleveland Museum of Art has agreed to transfer 14 works from its antiquities collection to the Italian Ministry.

“This transfer demonstrates our commitment to build and maintain a collection of art from around the world and across time that is acquired in good faith using the highest ethical standards and after rigorous provenance research,” said Timothy Rub, director of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

The Italian Ministry has agreed to loan a similar number of works of equal aesthetic and historical significance from its State collections for study and display in Cleveland. The two parties have also agreed to organize cooperatively at least one exhibition and create a close association between the Cleveland museum and a cultural institution in Italy for curatorial and research exchanges in areas such as conservation and exhibition design and planning. Discussions between the Cleveland Museum of Art and Italy are anticipated to continue in the coming months to finalize these arrangements prior to the transfer of any objects to Italy.

Sandro Bondi, Minister for Cultural Assets and Activities, and Rub reached the agreement today at a meeting in Rome and expressed their mutual hope for the success of these collaborative endeavors.

“We are pleased to conclude our discussions with Italy and move into a phase of long-term cooperation and cultural exchange that will be of true benefit to our renowned institution and the residents of Cleveland and northeast Ohio,” said Rub.