The Parthenon Marbles Dispute

Informationen zum Autor Alexander Herman is Director of the Institute of Art and Law, UK. Klappentext Why are we still arguing over the Parthenon Marbles? This book provides a fresh take on the history of those famous pieces of ancient sculpture removed from the Acropolis in Athens by Lord Elgin's men in the early 19th century, explaining how they became the cause célèbre of the larger debates around cultural heritage and restitution now taking place. The subject is one that is currently embroiling museums, governments, universities and the public at large. The approach offers a balanced and thorough account of the history of the Marbles from a critical perspective, while considering the legalities of their initial removal and the ethics of their retention by the British Museum. It incorporates the views of curators, museum directors, lawyers, archaeologists, politicians and others in both London and Athens. It explains why this particular dispute has not been satisfactorily resolved, and suggests new ways of seeking resolution - for the Parthenon Marbles, as well as for the many other cultural treasures held in museum collections outside their countries of origin. The book offers a way forward for this famously intractable dispute, one based on evidence of past practice, legal rules around the transfer of cultural objects and the role of museums in negotiating outcomes on the basis of international exchanges. The time to act is now. Zusammenfassung Why are we still arguing over the Parthenon Marbles? This book provides a fresh take on the history of those famous pieces of ancient sculpture removed from the Acropolis in Athens by Lord Elgin's men in the early 19th century, explaining how they became the cause célèbre of the larger debates around cultural heritage and restitution now taking place. The subject is one that is currently embroiling museums, governments, universities and the public at large. The approach offers a balanced and thorough account of the history of the Marbles from a critical perspective, while considering the legalities of their initial removal and the ethics of their retention by the British Museum. It incorporates the views of curators, museum directors, lawyers, archaeologists, politicians and others in both London and Athens. It explains why this particular dispute has not been satisfactorily resolved, and suggests new ways of seeking resolution for the Parthenon Marbles, as well as for the many other cultural treasures held in museum collections outside their countries of origin. The book offers a way forward for this famously intractable dispute, one based on evidence of past practice, legal rules around the transfer of cultural objects and the role of museums in negotiating outcomes on the basis of international exchanges. The time to act is now. Inhaltsverzeichnis Introduction A Matter Yet Unresolved1. From the Slopes of Mount Pentelikos2. A Story with Neither Hero nor Villain3. A Firman by Any Other Name4. Albion's Verdict5. The History of a Claim6. The (un)titled Masterpiece7. The Duke of Wellington and International Law8. How to Think Like a Greek9. Inside the British Museum10. Resolving the Dispute...

It is a remarkable achievement to write with such balance and authority on so fraught a question, even more impressive when so many believe they have an answer; from now on no-one should venture an opinion without reading this gripping and important analysis.

Auteur
Alexander Herman is Director of the Institute of Art and Law, UK.

Texte du rabat

Why are we still arguing over the Parthenon Marbles? This book offers a fresh take on the history of those famous pieces of ancient sculpture removed from the Acropolis in Athens by Lord Elgin's men in the early 19th century. It explains how they became the cause célèbre of the larger debates around cultural heritage and restitution now taking place. The subject is one that is currently embroiling museums, governments, universities and the public at large. Herman provides a balanced, thorough and critical account of the history of the Marbles, while considering the legalities of their initial removal and the ethics of their retention by the British Museum. It incorporates the views of curators, museum directors, lawyers, archaeologists, politicians and others in both London and Athens. It explains why this particular dispute has not been satisfactorily resolved, and suggests new ways of seeking resolution - for the Parthenon Marbles and for the many other cultural treasures held in museum collections outside their countries of origin. The book sets out a way forward for this famously intractable dispute, one based on evidence of past practice, legal rules around the transfer of cultural objects and the role of museums in negotiating international exchanges.

Contenu
Introduction: A Matter Yet Unresolved 1. From the Slopes of Mount Pentelikos 2. A Story with Neither Hero Nor Villain 3. A Firman by Any Other Name 4. Albion's Verdict 5. The History of a Claim 6. The (un)titled Masterpiece 7. Wellington and International Law 8. The View from Athens 9. Inside the British Museum 10. Resolving the Dispute