Corrado, CrispinGeorgi, KarenRamundo, Giulia2024-09-232024-09-232020Ramundo, Giulia. "Repatriation Debate: A Concrete, Modest Proposal". BA Thesis, John Cabot University, Rome, Italy. 2020.https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14490/293Thesis (B.A. in Art History and International Affairs)--John Cabot University, Fall 2020.The title of my thesis pays tribute to an insightful study focused on the emotional aspectof repatriation claims, and how the recognition of this is key to find a solution to the debate onthe proper disposition of disputed cultural property – namely, Daniel Shapiro’s “Repatriation: AModest Proposal” (1998).Given the excessive number of objects that might be subject to repatriation demands, mythesis offers a concrete proposal on how museums might respond to the symbolic importance ofdisputed cultural property even if what is requested is not ultimately returned. Analyzing two keycases in the history of art repatriation, The Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer and the ParthenonSculptures, one finds out that a purely aesthetic and context-free display of disputed objectsmight generate a sense of injustice in those who seek for their return. In light of this, Woman’sCap, a Native American hat displayed in the Hallie Ford Museum in Oregon (US), provides newinsight on how displays, loans, and shared ownerships can contribute in creating a concretedialogue between relevant parties. The singularity of this piece is given by its reversible status asa breathing object1 – this tool is displayed as a work of art within the museum, yet its status isagain reversed into its tool function once borrowed and used during specific ceremonies by theNative American tribe.ix, 91 pagesenAttribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 Internationalhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/Cultural property RepatriationThesis