Getty to Return Art; Italians Drop Charges

Following the outlines of a deal struck in August, the Getty Museum formally pledged yesterday to return to Italy 40 works from its collection. As a result of the agreement, which repatriates such masterpieces as an Aphrodite from the 5th century BC, Italian authorities dropped civil charges against Getty curator Marion True. Her criminal trial for trafficking antiquities continues, reports the Los Angeles Times.

True and dealer Robert Hecht were indicted by an Italian court in 2005 for knowingly acquiring looted works of art, and relations between Italy and the Getty have been strained ever since. Applications for loans have been ignored or delayed, but soon after August's agreement several Italian museums suddenly approved pending transfer requests. The Getty will also receive long-term loans from Italy to fill the new gaps in its collection. (More J. Paul Getty Museum stories.)