What's Missing from the Getty/Italy Accord

Italy announced today that it will display in Rome's presidential palace, the Qurinale, all 40 antiquities to be relinquished by the Getty Museum .

The Associated Press has the story. The Great Repatriator, of course, has his say: "'As the home of all Italians, the Qurinale is the most appropriate and prestigious place so that our citizens and visitors from around the world can come and admire these masterpieces in the country where they came from,' Culture Minister Francesco Rutelli said."

At today's J. Paul Getty Trust press lunch in New York, the museum's director, Michael Brand, told me that Italy has promised to lend the Getty 40 to 50 antiquities in return for the Getty's returns. But the deal does not specify what these objects will be. Brand said this is a good thing, because it will give him an opportunity to decide upon which objects he would most like to bring to Los Angeles, including, perhaps, newly discovered pieces. The actual text of the agreement, signed in Rome last week, is subject to a confidentiality agreement will not be published, he said.

Brand also told me that he hopes that Italy will reconsider its policy of allowing longterm art loans for a maximum of only four years.

In other exciting press-lunch news: A certain ArtsJournal blogger will be gratified to know that he made a cameo appearance in the Getty's promotional slide show, thanks to his assessment of the Getty Research Institute's exhibition gallery:

"The best and smartest programmed small space in America." ---Tyler Green, Modern Art Notes.

Maybe if I start slinging superlatives, someone will quote ME!