France, Belgium and the Restitution of Artworks: The Changing Rationality and Narratives of Restitutions
Presented by UConn Arts Leadership and Cultural Management
Tuesday, February 11, 2020 - 2 PM
Jorgensen Gallery
A lecture by Jonathan Paquette, Associate Professor, School of Political Studies, University of Ottawa
Chairholder of the Global Francophonie Research Chair on Cultural Heritage Policies
In November 2017 in Ougadougou, French president Emmanuel Macron declared that France would initiate a process that would eventually lead to the restitution of artworks to African countries. A special commission was set up, and a report was presented one year later (Sarr-Savoy). This represents a significant political moment in the history of artwork restitution in France. This presentation engages critically with this report, and discusses its strengths, weaknesses and implications. In particular, this presentation expands the reflection and brings together an historical overview of recent restitution debates and cases in France and Belgium, bringing forward the institutions, political and cultural issues that are at stake.
For more information, contact: Constance DeVereaux, Ph.D. at artsleadership@uconn.edu