LOS ANGELES, CA.- The J. Paul Getty Museum announced today it will return to Italy a Roman fresco fragment dating to the third quarter of the 1st century B.C. The wall fragment, which features a landscape scene, came into the Museum's collection in 1996.

"Our decision to return this fragment is based on a newly published image we saw about a year ago that included another fresco fragment that was being repatriated to Italy by a private collector. This image placed our landscape fresco alongside this newly repatriated fragment," explained J. Paul Getty Museum Director Michael Brand. "Seeing these fragments together made it clear that the two were part of the same wall design and belonged together."

"We greatly value the relationship we have with our colleagues in Italy and appreciate the opportunity for scholarly dialogue, which can enrich our understanding of our cultural heritage and help bring to light objects such as this one that should be repatriated," he continued.

The wall fresco fragment has been removed from display at the Getty Villa and will be returned to the Italian Ministry of Culture in May, 2009.