Freakonomics Radio has concluded its three-part art repatriation series, “Stealing Art Is Easy. Giving It Back Is Hard.” The series explores the complexities of returning stolen artworks and addresses the broader issue of looted artifacts in museums.
In the first episode, titled “The Case of the $4 Million Gold Coffin,” the podcast investigates how an Egyptian antiquity ended up in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the role played by Kim Kardashian in uncovering the truth. It also raises questions about the prevalence of stolen art in museums.
The second episode, “Is a Museum Just a Trophy Case?” delves into the ethical and logistical challenges of returning plundered artworks to their rightful owners. It examines the historical context of looting and the complexities involved in repatriation efforts.
The final episode, “How to Return Stolen Art,” explores how museums are working to purge their collections of looted treasures. It discusses the possibility of museums receiving something in return during the repatriation process and raises broader questions about the role and responsibilities of museums in the 21st century.
