#deaccessioning

#deaccessioning

When Thomas Jefferson wrote about the "inalienable" rights of man in the US Declaration of Independence 250 years ago, it's possible he lifted the term from the French. And long before it was ever used as an adjective to describe human rights, it defined royal property. To this day, "inalienability" remains a cornerstone of public collections in France-and many other countries-impacting museums and their ability to deaccession, including for purposes of restitution.

"We treasure those pieces," she told the Washington Post. "They are integral to the character of the museum. They belong to the public. They are now probably going into private hands. It's just a shame."