Günay, speaking at a news conference on Friday held at the museum, told reporters that the latest development concerning the missing sketches was that “the commission concluded that 13 charcoal sketches by Hoca Ali Rıza in the museum’s storage facilities were copies, and this has been reported to the police.”He noted that the issue dates back to 2008, when officials mistakenly announced that Hoca Ali Rıza’s original sketches -- which were found to be missing in a 2007 count -- were found in the museum’s warehouse. The new commission that conducted the most recent inventory count concluded that the sketches in question were forged copies.
“This is the current issue on the table. Statements claiming that half of the 4,000 paintings at the museum have gone missing or that 500 pieces were stolen have nothing to do with the current discussion,” the minister added.
Günay also said claims concerning missing works of art from the Ankara State Art and Sculpture Museum have been brought up numerous times in the past two decades and that several official reports were drawn up about the issue throughout that period. However, the minister added that recent media reports about the matter created the impression that there have been major incidents of theft at the museum in the past few years. “In fact, such an argument doesn’t exist,” he said.
“Of course, [the media] have shown great sensitivity. I appreciate that sensitivity, but it has to be shown through accurate information.”
