Erik Dijkstra investigates stolen art in new program

This article was last updated on May 8, 2023

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Erik Dijkstra investigates the provenance of stolen art in a new program

BNNVARA has recently launched a new program Roof Art, which focuses on investigating the origin of art objects that ended up in Western museums under dubious circumstances. Each episode features a single object currently on display in a European museum. Presenter Erik Dijkstra aims to uncover the truth behind stolen art and the stories of their original owners.

Delving into the story of Banjarmasin’s Diamond

The show’s first episode begins with Banjarmasin’s diamond, which was taken by Dutch troops as war booty in 1859 when they captured the city by force. The valuable stone is now housed in the Rijksmuseum as part of its permanent collection. Dijkstra travels to Indonesia to meet with possible heirs of the diamond’s original owners and to explore the stone’s history.

Dijkstra also questions why the Netherlands has yet to return the diamond. He believes that the Roof Art program serves not only to raise awareness about stolen art but also to address the forced ways in which colonial countries have dealt with their past.

Uncovering the story behind the Feather Crown of Moctezuma

Another object featured in the program is the Feather Crown of the Aztec leader Moctezuma, which is currently on display in Vienna. The origins of the feather crown are uncertain, but it is widely believed that it was collected by Hernán Cortés in the 16th century and brought to Europe as a gift to Emperor Charles V of Spain.

Dijkstra travels to Mexico to explore the story of the feather crown and possible links to Moctezuma’s legacy. He also discusses the issue of restitution and asks whether European countries should return objects of cultural significance to their rightful owners.

The story of the god Gou’s iron statue

The program also features the life-size iron statue of the god Gou from Benin, which is part of the Louvre’s collection in Paris. The statue was taken by French troops in 1892 during a military expedition to Benin.

Dijkstra investigates the stories of the people of Benin and the impact of colonization on their cultural heritage. He also questions the ethics and morality of keeping stolen art in European museums and asks whether it’s time for these objects to be returned to their rightful owners.

Erik Dijkstra’s Roof Art program is not just about uncovering the truth behind stolen art, it’s also about exploring the way in which colonial powers have dealt with their past. Each episode raises questions about the ethics of keeping stolen art and challenges the viewers to think about the true value of cultural heritage, both for the current generation and for future generations to come.