Looted: Rescuing Italy's Stolen Treasures

Summary

In 1973, Frances Vieta, an Italian American journalist living in Rome, is incensed to learn that New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art has purchased a priceless Greek vase, the Euphronios Krater, for $1 million. Ms. Vieta suspects the antiquity was illegally looted from Italy and smuggled out of the country. She sets out to investigate the acquisition, teaming up with Rodolfo Siviero, an Italian minister and art recovery expert, and the Carabinieri Art Squad, a special unit of the Italian army dedicated to protecting cultural heritage.

Ms. Vieta’s investigation uncovers a vast network of tomb robbers, smugglers, and unscrupulous dealers who have been plundering Italy’s archaeological sites for decades, fueled by the demand from wealthy collectors and prestigious museums. 

Her pursuit of justice takes her on a journey through the dark underworld of the international art market. As an undercover agent, she encounters shady characters, corrupt officials, and powerful collectors. Along the way, she learns about the history of art theft in Italy—primarily the devastating impact of World War II, the techniques used by looters and forgers, and the challenges faced by law enforcement in recovering stolen artifacts from a thriving black market. Ms. Vieta’s determination to expose the truth and return the Euphronios Krater to its rightful home becomes a lifelong mission, spanning over thirty-five years and involving countless investigations and legal battles.