Comments on: Billion euro sunken masterpieces http://flyingfox.jonathanjanson.com/2008/11/20/those-sunken-masterpieces-are-mine-not-yours%e2%80%a6news-from-russia/ Words from the Essential Vermeer.com Tue, 07 Sep 2010 16:11:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: ARech http://flyingfox.jonathanjanson.com/2008/11/20/those-sunken-masterpieces-are-mine-not-yours%e2%80%a6news-from-russia/comment-page-1/#comment-33 ARech Fri, 21 Nov 2008 12:38:49 +0000 http://flyingfox.jonathanjanson.com/?p=286#comment-33 A few additions to this probably most precious cargo in the history of underwater archaeology: The assumption that the 27 Dutch paintings could have been transported in leaden containers sealed with wax stems from several, unfortunately vain expeditions, attended by correspondence with Swedish authorities Catharina the Great sent within three years after the ship's disappearance in October 1771, due to a heavy storm. The ship's body seems still remarkably well-preserved (see an image here): http://www.russia-ic.com/news/show/7411/ Salvage specialists from Russia, Finland, Sweden and the Netherlands suggested to raise the ship by slipping special soft ropes beneath the body, which will then be brought to dry dock. The two years until the planned raising in 2010 are necessary for exact measuring of the ship and the study of the specifics of the seabed around and afterwards working out en exact plan for the raise. According to the British newspaper 'The Daily Telegraph' it is not yet clear whether Russia would be able to claim the goods although the whole country is legally entitled to all the property that once belonged to the Russian Empire. As various European countries are involved in the project there could also be a chance of sharing the ownership with the European Community. But the optimism of the Russian authorities even regarding the salvage of the precious Dutch paintings is not shared by everyone. Finish officials estimate the likelihood that the treasures could be preserved with c. one percent. But nevertheless they offer any support in raising the ship. The costs of the entire project is estimated c. 50 million Euros. As a very great lover of Dutch 17th century art, I do hope, of course, that this unique project will have any success it deserves. But remembering the remaining artefacts from the famous MSS 'Titanic', sunk in 1912 'only' 3800 meters, I saw in a large exhibition 1997 in Hamburg, I have serious doubts, considering the length of time (240 years!) and the depth of the schooner's location (41 meters) resting in the icy water of the Finish sea. But, as the saying goes, "Hope springs eternal". AR A few additions to this probably most precious cargo in the history of underwater archaeology:

The assumption that the 27 Dutch paintings could have been transported in leaden containers sealed with wax stems from several, unfortunately vain expeditions, attended by correspondence with Swedish authorities Catharina the Great sent within three years after the ship’s disappearance in October 1771, due to a heavy storm.
The ship’s body seems still remarkably well-preserved (see an image here):
http://www.russia-ic.com/news/show/7411/

Salvage specialists from Russia, Finland, Sweden and the Netherlands suggested to raise the ship by slipping special soft ropes beneath the body, which will then be brought to dry dock. The two years until the planned raising in 2010 are necessary for exact measuring of the ship and the study of the specifics of the seabed around and afterwards working out en exact plan for the raise.

According to the British newspaper ‘The Daily Telegraph’ it is not yet clear whether Russia would be able to claim the goods although the whole country is legally entitled to all the property that once belonged to the Russian Empire. As various European countries are involved in the project there could also be a chance of sharing the ownership with the European Community.

But the optimism of the Russian authorities even regarding the salvage of the precious Dutch paintings is not shared by everyone. Finish officials estimate the likelihood that the treasures could be preserved with c. one percent. But nevertheless they offer any support in raising the ship.

The costs of the entire project is estimated c. 50 million Euros.

As a very great lover of Dutch 17th century art, I do hope, of course, that this unique project will have any success it deserves. But remembering the remaining artefacts from the famous MSS ‘Titanic’, sunk in 1912 ‘only’ 3800 meters, I saw in a large exhibition 1997 in Hamburg, I have serious doubts, considering the length of time (240 years!) and the depth of the schooner’s location (41 meters) resting in the icy water of the Finish sea. But, as the saying goes, “Hope springs eternal”.

AR

]]>