Looted Roman bust to return to Germany

CAIRO – 25 May 2022: A 1st century marble statue will be returned to Germany because it was stolen.

It was probably stolen by an Allied soldier during WWII and was purchased at Texas Flea Store for $34.99.

Taking home the Portrait of a man after purchasing the bust at a Goodwill store in Austin. Image courtesy of Laura Young.

Before the statue returns to Germany, it will be displayed next year at the San Antonio Museum of Art, which houses a collection of ancient Roman art and was instrumental in facilitating the statue's return to Bavaria, according to ARTnews.

Jessica Powers, interim chief curator of the art of the ancient Mediterranean world at the museum, noted that the determination of the bust's subject matter remains in doubt. "It is a beautiful picture of a young man with a beard, perhaps the son of Pompey. We do not know who he is," said Powers.

The looting of European art and antiquities during World War II led to a seemingly endless number of lawsuits by heirs, collectors and dealers looking to restore their families' legacy, and the appreciation of museums and governments in countries conquered by German soldiers.

It is estimated that 20 percent of all artwork in Europe was looted by the Nazis. However, a Roman bust was most likely looted by a member of the Allied forces.