The Art Institute of Chicago has made the decision to return a valuable 12th-century sculpture to Nepal after discovering that it had been stolen. The sculpture, titled “Buddha Sheltered by the Serpent King Muchalinda,” depicts a powerful story of divine protection during a storm, with the serpent king Muchalinda forming a protective cave around the Buddha to allow him to meditate in peace.
This sculpture has been a part of the museum’s collection since 1997, donated by the late Marilynn Alsdorf, a prominent art collector and philanthropist in Chicago. Along with her husband James, the Alsdorfs donated over 100 items from Nepal, India, and other South and Southeast Asian nations to the Art Institute.
Questions about the ownership history of some pieces in the Alsdorf collection were raised by reporters in March 2023, leading to an investigation that revealed incomplete provenance for 24 artifacts. It was also discovered that at least four pieces, including the Muchalinda sculpture, had been stolen and illegally exported from Nepal.
The decision to repatriate the sculpture was made in collaboration with the government of Nepal, with both parties agreeing that the artwork had been stolen from Guita Bahi in the Kathmandu Valley. The return of the sculpture is seen as a strengthening of the bond between heritage and community, ensuring that future generations can connect with their cultural history.
The Art Institute has been actively repatriating objects in recent months, including a 12th-century fragment to Thailand. While some experts believe that more needs to be done in terms of repatriation efforts, the museum has established a provenance research team and hired a repatriation expert to oversee the process.
The museum’s commitment to transparency and provenance research has been highlighted, with President and Director James Rondeau stating that the institution is dedicated to researching each object in its collection. The museum’s decision to return the Muchalinda sculpture is seen as a demonstration of its commitment to taking action when new information comes to light.
In addition to the repatriation efforts, the Art Institute has been embroiled in a dispute with the Manhattan district attorney’s office over a drawing looted by the Nazis during World War II. The drawing, titled “Russian War Prisoner” by Egon Schiele, was acquired by the museum in 1966, but disagreements remain about its provenance before it entered the collection.
Overall, the Art Institute of Chicago’s decision to return the Muchalinda sculpture to Nepal marks a significant step towards addressing issues of provenance and cultural heritage within museum collections. The museum’s ongoing commitment to transparency and research will continue to shape its approach to the acquisition and display of cultural artifacts.
