Joint Press Statement—The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Italy and the Cleveland Museum of Art

Tags for: Joint Press Statement—The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Italy and the Cleveland Museum of Art
  • Press Release
Thursday October 31, 2024
Ink, tempera, and gold on parchment depicting Christ with Saints
Historiated Initial (A) Excised from a Responsorial: Christ in Majesty with Saints, c. 1280–1300. Italy, Siena. Ink, tempera, and gold on parchment; sheet: 26.3 x 23.5 cm. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund, 1952.279

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CLEVELAND (October 31, 2024)—The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Italy (the “ministry”) and the Cleveland Museum of Art (“CMA”) today announced that, working collaboratively, they have agreed to the transfer of a 13th-century manuscript leaf representing the letter “A” once part of a choral book located at a church near Siena. The work was acquired by the CMA in 1952. Based on information provided by the ministry as well as the CMA’s own research, the CMA determined that the work should be transferred to the Republic of Italy. 

Dr. Paolo D’Angeli, head of the department for general administration of the ministry, commented: “We appreciate the care that the Cleveland Museum of Art has taken to preserve this manuscript over many years and their willingness to work with the ministry to determine the best outcome for all concerned. The decision to do so reflects the many years of cooperation between the ministry and the museum.” 

Dr. William M. Griswold, director of the Cleveland Museum of Art, noted: “We are pleased with the outreach and open dialogue, and I look forward to future cultural cooperation with our colleagues in the Ministry of Culture.”

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All education programs at the Cleveland Museum of Art are underwritten by the CMA Fund for Education. Major annual support is provided by Brenda and Marshall Brown, Mr. and Mrs. Walter E. Fortney, David and Robin Gunning, Dieter and Susan M. Kaesgen, Eva and Rudolf Linnebach, Gail C. and Elliott L. Schlang, Shurtape Technologies, and the Kelvin and Eleanor Smith Foundation. Generous annual support is provided by Gini and Randy Barbato, the M. E. and F. J. Callahan Foundation, Char and Chuck Fowler, the Giant Eagle Foundation, Robin Heiser, the late Marta and the late Donald M. Jack Jr., Bill and Joyce Litzler, the Logsdon Family Fund for Education, William J. and Katherine T. O’Neill, Betty T. and David M. Schneider, the Sally and Larry Sears Fund for Education Endowment, Roy Smith, Paula and Eugene Stevens, the Trilling Family Foundation, and the Womens Council of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

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The Cleveland Museum of Art is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes more than 63,000 artworks and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. The museum is a significant international forum for exhibitions, scholarship, and performing arts and is a leader in digital innovations. One of the top comprehensive art museums in the nation, recognized for its award-winning open access program and free of charge to all, the Cleveland Museum of Art is located in the University Circle neighborhood.