Italy Demands Minneapolis Museum Return Sculpture: Reports

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minneapolis Institute of Art was ordered by an Italian court to return a $2.5 million marble sculpture, "Doryphoros," which is a part of the Minneapolis Institute of Art's permanent collection.

Located prominently in the rotunda near the entrance, "Doryphoros" is one of the most famous pieces in MIA's collections. But the Italian court claims that the sculpture was illegally excavated before the MIA purchased it for $2.5 million in 1986, the Star Tribune reported.

Adjusting for inflation, the sculpture would cost about $6.5 million in 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The MIA said it has not heard directly from the court yet.

"We have seen press reports that a court in Naples, Italy, has called for the return of a work of art in the museum's permanent collection," the MIA told Patch in an email. "We have not been contacted by the Italian authorities in connection with the court's decision. If the museum is contacted, we will review the matter and respond accordingly."

The "Doryphoros" in Minneapolis is dated between 27 B.C. and 68 A.D., and was sculpted by an unknown Roman artist, according to the museum.

Italy believes that looters illegally excavated the sculpture in 1976 and sold it to Elie Borowski, who eventually sold it to the MIA, ArtNet reported.