Treatment of Cultural Works of Art in Museums, Universities, and Galleries

Key Issue

• How should institutions handle priceless cultural works acquired under contentious circumstances?
• The debate over returning such works to their countries of origin.

Case Study: The Parthenon Marbles

• Location: British Museum, UK
• Origin: Parthenon in Athens, Greece
• Historical Context:
  • Created in the 5th century BCE.
  • Removed by Lord Elgin in the early 1800s with permission from Ottoman authorities.
  • Sold to the British nation and housed in the British Museum.

Perspectives on the Parthenon Marbles

British Museum's Perspective

• Hannah Bolton:
  • Acknowledges the sensitivity of how the marbles were acquired.
  • Believes that the marbles are accessible to a world audience and can be appreciated in a global context by being in London.
  • The museum's stance is that the marbles are legally theirs but open to lending them.

Greek Perspective

• Lydia Kouniourou:
  • Former Minister of Culture, Greece.
  • Believes the marbles should be returned to Greece to unify the collection.
  • Asserts that the Ottoman deal with Elgin was invalid due to their status as occupiers.
• Dimitris Pentermalis:
  • Director of the Acropolis Museum.
  • Criticizes the removal by Elgin, viewing it as plundering.
  • Desires the reunification of the sculpture pieces.

The Acropolis Museum

• Built as a response to the British Museum's claims.
• Designed to display the marbles with views of the Parthenon.
• Features plaster copies where originals are missing.

Public Opinion

• Visitors express a desire to see the collection unified in its place of origin.
• The Acropolis Museum is viewed as a suitable and beautiful environment for the marbles.

Political Context

• Greek President and some British politicians (e.g., Jeremy Corbyn) support the return of the marbles to Greece.

Conclusion

• The debate continues with strong opinions from both nations.
• The British Museum emphasizes legal ownership and the potential for lending.
• Greece remains firm in its unique claim, seeing it as a duty to reclaim the marbles.
• Ongoing discussion about cultural heritage and rightful ownership of historical artifacts.