STOLEN ART
AND THE QUEST FOR RESTITUTION
Professor Alastair Blanshard
The recovery of ancient artefacts and historical treasures looted by the Taliban, ISIS
and other terror organisations in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria, were among the topics discussed at a multi-faceted event in Noosa
recently by Professor Alastair Blanshard, one
of Australia’s leading experts on classics and
ancient history.
The event was the launch of a new book, “The
Provenance Diary”, by Noosa-based author
David Erskine. Set against the backdrop of
World War 2, when hundreds of thousands of
works of art were looted by the Nazis, the book –
fiction but based loosely on factual events –
follows the efforts of a multinational team to
track down these stolen masterpieces and return
them to their rightful owners.
Professor Blanshard, who is the Deputy Head
of the School of Historical and Philosophical
Inquiry and holds the Paul Eliades Chair of
Classics and Ancient History at the University
of Queensland in Brisbane, says the book opens
a fresh window on a controversial subject which,
because of recent events in the Middle East and
elsewhere in the world, has once again sprung
into prominence.
He describes David Erskine’s take of the subject as “a timely and well-researched work
which deals with the trade in looted art and antiquities in a suspenseful and enjoyable
fashion”, adding: “It chimes with both my work and my personal interest. It’s an excellent
read and shines the spotlight on a subject which has a real relevance in today’s world.”
by Peter Mason
