Art Repatriation to China
Sotheby’s Institute of Art

Debates surrounding repatriation (restitution) of works of art is a recurring topic in art news, particularly in countries where, at one point, they were unable to defend their cultural property. This short film looks at the case of the 1860 looting of Beijing’s Old Summer Palace and charts the journey of 2 bronze animal heads which, in 2009, made it back to their country of origin. But how is art repatriation shaped, altered and influenced by economic, political and cultural shifts? And how is Jackie Chan involved in all this?

With this film we are providing educational content directly relevant to the art business subjects taught at Sotheby’s Institute of Art. This film provides interesting and useful content for Sotheby’s Institutes target student demographic and stimulates strong brand awareness amongst that group.