Erotic Mosaic Depicting a Pair of Lovers Returns After 80 Years: The Reason Behind Its Sudden Repatriation

Voluntary Return After Nazi Looting
Cases of Apology Letters Written to Avoid the "Curse of Pompeii"

An ancient Roman-era mosaic that was looted by a Nazi officer in Italy during World War II has been returned to its rightful place after about 80 years. The mosaic, which depicts a pair of lovers in an erotic scene, was reported on July 15 (local time) by Yonhap News, citing foreign media such as ANSA, to have been returned to its homeland after 80 years thanks to the voluntary decision of the German family who possessed the artifact.

A mosaic artwork that was looted by a German Nazi officer during World War II and returned after about 80 years. Photo by AP and Yonhap News

The mosaic was taken to Germany after a Nazi German army captain, who was stationed in Italy during World War II, stole it and gave it as a gift to another compatriot. The recent return was initiated when the German family who owned the artifact directly contacted the Carabinieri Command for the Protection of Cultural Heritage (TPC), the Italian police unit dedicated to cultural heritage protection, to express their intention to return it. The TPC then launched an investigation to verify the authenticity and precise origin of the artifact, and confirmed that it originated from Pompeii, near Mount Vesuvius.

After all the necessary preparations were completed, the artifact was returned through the Italian Consulate in Stuttgart, Germany, on September 16, 2023. Following careful preservation and restoration work, an official return ceremony was held at the Pompeii Archaeological Park on this day. Director Gabriel Zuchtriegel stated, "Today's return is like healing a wound that was inflicted," and added, "It will play an important role in reconstructing the history of Pompeii before it disappeared in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius."

A mosaic artwork that was looted by a German Nazi officer during World War II and returned after about 80 years. Photo by Reuters and Yonhap News

After news of the artifact's return and the details of the process were made public, the so-called "Curse of Pompeii" has once again drawn attention locally. The Curse of Pompeii is a superstition that claims misfortune will befall anyone who steals even a small stone from the Pompeii ruins. Although there is no scientific basis for this belief, it has actually led to many artifacts being returned to Italy. As a result, the Pompeii site even has a special area where visitors' returned artifacts and their "letters of apology" are displayed. Director Zuchtriegel also said, "I often sense a change in perception among those who voluntarily return artifacts, as they feel the burden of possessing stolen objects," and added, "There are quite a few people who return artifacts out of fear of the Curse of Pompeii."