Discobolo Lancelotti restitution dispute sparks debate on cultural heritage and cancel culture

The director of the Museo Nazionale Romano requested the return of the marble base of the Discobolo Lancelotti from the Glyptothek in Munich, where the statue has been displayed since World War II after being sold by Mussolini's Italy to Germany. The Glyptothek's director not only refused but suggested Italy should return the Discobolo itself. Italian Culture Minister Sangiuliano responded dramatically, saying they would have to go over his dead body. After a visit to the German ambassador, the case was defused as an isolated action by the director; Berlin never intended to request the Discobolo. The vice-director of the Glyptothek clarified the museum never asked for the statue. The article by Stefano Monti, partner at Monti&Taft, uses this incident to reflect on broader issues: the role of Greco-Roman culture in Italy's global recognition, the circulation of artworks versus images, and the tension between nationalism and globalism. Monti questions whether contracts signed under dictators should be retroactively annulled, and whether such a principle could be generalized. He also asks whether the benefits of free image circulation apply to objects. The piece invites readers to consider different national perspectives and the limits of cancel culture.