Roofkunst

The treasures of Benin

In 2018, President Macron finally started the dialogue about looted art during a trip to Africa. His first initiative was to return a collection of 26 objects to Benin. Musée du Quai Branly took part in an investigation, which resulted in the decision to return the treasures to Benin in 2022. But one much-loved item is not among the items returned. Gou, a beautiful and life-size iron statue of a god, forged by the king's blacksmith, remains behind in Paris. Erik Dijkstra investigates why this specific object has not been returned. And why is the museum so secretive about this statue?