The J. Paul Getty Museum acquired at auction last week a group of seventeen ancient engraved gems from the collection of Roman art dealer Giorgio Sangiorgi (1886-1965). The great majority of the Sangiorgi gems were acquired before World War II, and many derive from notable earlier collections amassed by Lelio Pasqualini, the Boncompagni-Ludovisi family, the Duke of Marlborough, and Paul Arndt in Munich. Comprising some of the finest classical gems still in private hands, the Sangiorgi gems were brought to Switzerland in the 1950s and have remained there with his heirs until now.

The return of a bronze statue, which had been made by Lysippos between the fourth and second centuries BC, from the Getty Museum in Los Angeles was decided by the Supreme Court of Italy.

As a result of a long-term loan and conservation agreement, the J. Paul Getty Museum will put on view 14 works of art this spring from the Santa Barbara Museum of Art's (SBMA) superb collection of ancient Greek and Roman sculpture. On view in the South Pavilion at the Getty Center beginning May 24, the special installation will feature a selection of marble and bronze works depicting gods and goddesses, heroes, athletes, and other subjects. Before going on display, several of the loaned objects are undergoing conservation at the Getty Villa, including an important over-life-size Roman statue of the god Hermes (or Mercury), which is receiving extensive work.