1.   Some works of art had been stowed away in store rooms of Russian provincial museums for years.

2.   At that time the Russian museums did not disclose provenance on their wall labels.

3.   But when the Soviet Union unraveled, Russian museums, libraries and newspaper archives became accessible.

4.   Desperation is not new to Russian museums.

5.   Experts at Unesco are proposing that Russia exchange some of the paintings it holds for funding and technical assistance for Russian museums.

6.   In recent years his work has also been acquired by numerous Russian museums.

7.   It will be the first display of American artists at the Russian museum.

8.   Tour officials were later surprised to learn that none of the money had gone to the Russian museums.

9.   Wiser Germans realize that restitution will require not just financial assistance to Russian museums but some sharing of the spoils with other countries.

10.   Art usually seems to be a labor of love, rather than money, in places as far apart as Vladivostok and Spokane, a Russian museum director said.