Roman-era mosaic panel stolen during Second World War returns to Pompeii
A mosaic panel on travertine slabs, depicting an erotic theme from the Roman era, was returned to the archaeological park of Pompeii on Tuesday, after being stolen by a Nazi German captain during the Second World War.
The artwork was repatriated from Germany through diplomatic channels, arranged by the Italian Consulate in Stuttgart, Germany, after having been returned from the heirs of the last owner, a deceased German citizen.
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Irish Independent
11 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Roman-era mosaic panel stolen during Second World War returns to Pompeii
©Associated Press A mosaic panel on travertine slabs, depicting an erotic theme from the Roman era, was returned to the archaeological park of Pompeii on Tuesday, after being stolen by a Nazi German captain during the Second World War. The artwork was repatriated from Germany through diplomatic channels, arranged by the Italian Consulate in Stuttgart, Germany, after having been returned from the heirs of the last owner, a deceased German citizen.
Irish Examiner
12 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Roman-era mosaic panel stolen during Second World War returns to Pompeii
A mosaic panel on travertine slabs, depicting an erotic theme from the Roman era, was returned to the archaeological park of Pompeii on Tuesday, after being stolen by a Nazi German captain during the Second World War. The artwork was repatriated from Germany through diplomatic channels, arranged by the Italian Consulate in Stuttgart, Germany, after having been returned from the heirs of the last owner, a deceased German citizen. Director of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii Gabriel Zuchtriegel admires a Roman mosaic (Gregorio Borgia/AP) The owner had received the mosaic as a gift from a Wehrmacht captain, assigned to the military supply chain in Italy during the war. The mosaic — dating between mid- to last century BC and the first century — is considered a work of 'extraordinary cultural interest', experts said. Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii and co-author of an essay dedicated to the returned work, said: 'It is the moment when the theme of domestic love becomes an artistic subject. 'While the Hellenistic period, from the fourth to the first century BC, exulted the passion of mythological and heroic figures, now we see a new theme.' The heirs of the mosaic's last owner in Germany contacted the Carabinieri unit in Rome that is dedicated to protecting cultural heritage, which was in charge of the investigation, asking for information on how to return the mosaic to the Italian state. Authorities carried out the necessary checks to establish its authenticity and provenance, and then worked to repatriate the mosaic in September 2023. Restorers set on display a Roman mosaic depicting a pair of lovers, which was repatriated from Germany, in Pompeii archaeological park (Gregorio Borgia/AP) The collaboration with the Archaeological Park of Pompeii was also key, as it made it possible to trace it near the Mount Vesuvius volcano, despite the scarcity of data on the original context of its discovery, the Carabinieri said. The panel was then assigned to the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, where, suitably catalogued, it will be protected and available for educational and research purposes. 'Today's return is like healing an open wound,' Mr Zuchtriegel said, adding that the mosaic allows to reconstruct the story of that period, the first century AD, before Pompeii was destroyed by the Vesuvius eruption in AD 79. The park's director also highlighted how the return by the heirs of its owner signals an important change in 'mentality', as 'the sense of possession (of stolen art) becomes a heavy burden'. 'We see that often in the many letters we receive from people who may have stolen just a stone, to bring home a piece of Pompeii,' Mr Zuchtriegel said. He recalled the so-called 'Pompeii curse,' which, according to a popular superstition, hits whoever steals artefacts in Pompeii. The world-renowned legend suggests that those who steal finds from the ancient city of Pompeii will experience bad luck or misfortune. That has been fuelled over the years by several tourists who return stolen items, claiming they brought them bad luck and caused tragic events.
Sunday World
a day ago
- Sunday World
‘Beloved' nurse killed in London airport explosion was on first day of new job
Maria Fernanda Rojaz Ortiz (31) was among the four people killed in the plane crash. Four people died in the plane crash at London Southend Airport on Sunday, the PA news agency understands (Joe Giddens/PA) A Chilean-born nurse has been named as among the four people who were killed in a plane crash at London Southend Airport. Maria Fernanda Rojaz Ortiz (31), a German citizen born in Chile, was reportedly on her first day as a flight nurse on board the small aircraft when it came down after take-off on Sunday afternoon. A Dutch pilot and co-pilot, along with one other person, were also on the Beech B200 Super King Air, operated by Zeusch Aviation, which specialises in medical evacuations. Maria Fernanda Rojaz Ortiz (31). News in 90 Seconds - Monday July 14th A friend of Ms Ortiz, called Anna Smith, told the BBC it had been her first day as a flight nurse, having previously worked as a nurse in the public sector. 'She was so excited for this new job,' she said. She added: "She had a giving heart and was humble, and chose a profession that reflected that. It is understood that the plane had dropped off a patient at Southend, and was due to return to its base in the Netherlands The Air Accidents Investigation Branch has started an investigation with inspectors with expertise in aircraft operations, human factors, engineering and recorded data already dispatched to the crash site. The airport remains closed.
