Museum Pledges to Return Remains (from BBC)

Aug 5, 2008 at 9:41 AM
2 comments

Though this is an older article from January 2008, I was interesting in reading it especially in light of the cases at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York returning some specific art works to Italy.

BBC - Museum Pledges to Return Remains

Article I read about the MET returning some specific art pieces to Italy:

NYTimes: Italy and U.S. Sign Antiquities Accord

2 comments

Tags:

Comments

This was part of the reason that I started the group Global Perspectives in Art and Literature. I heard, via BBC, that the return of peices to their home of origin might become the new trend. I wanted to post about it to find out what other people thought. I like the idea that art from all over the world can be viewed at museums almost anywhere in the world. If this changes then my understanding is there would be only American peices in American museums. This does not seem as interesting.

[this is good]

I've been following and writing offline about the Benin Bronzes of Nigeria. These works were taken by the British in 1897 from Benin. The British museum will not show them that much but they are kept in storage somewhere in London but they are now being claimed as being owned by the British although they were taken during time of war.

The argument here for the return of the Benin Bronzes is not necessarily for them to be returned to Nigeria but at least for the ownership to be in the hands of the Nigerians but they would still like to have them exhibited to museums around the world.

In other cultures I am not to sure how the *provenance* of the art was acquired by the museums but if it was taken during the time or war or taken illegally then this is an issue that each country should make clear whether or not they want this art returned to their homeland.

I am in agreement with art that was taken illegally and for their safe return to their homeland.

Excellent website on stolen art taken by the Nazis

Arts Journal: Hot issue: Stolen Art

Here is a great case about the Iraqi art taken during time of war:

Chasing Down History and the 'Thieves of Baghdad' : NPR

The New York Times had a forum a few years ago here in New York on this very issue. I am going to try to find the link for I did attend the forum and heard directly from the MET's director on his views on some issues. Interesting!

Museum Pledges to Return Remains (from BBC)

Comments

Post a comment

About Me

My Groups

Neighborhood

Tags

Archives

Widgets