It is complex. With the fall of Constantinople in 1204, the victorious Venetians pillaged and plundered the defeated city and the four horses were dismantled and shipped to their new resting place atop St. Mark's Basilica as a symbol of triumph. Are they going back to Turkey? What about the Temple of Dendur at the Metropolitan Museum? An ancient Egyptian temple built in the first century B.C. a gift from Egypt to the United States. Did the government have the right to give away a piece of the country's heritage? Did London have the right to sell London Bridge to the US. Then there's The Cloisters in New York, not to mention the huge number of historical objects stolen by Hearst. There's even talk about the Koh-i-noor diamond being repatriated but four different countries claim to be its rightful owner. And if repatriated who benefits ?
Thanks for this. My first exposure to the missing sculptures was at the Parthenon and inside the Acropolis Museum, this year.
The story of "The West" is powerful with many layers. the British colonial period influences American culture, too: Philadelphia, where I'm from, with its namesake drawn from Greek, a name that even can be traced back to an ancient Lydian city in Anatolia. I guess my point is there's trajectory and direction to this historical paradigm, artifacts and sculptures aside, it lives in the Americas, in names and in architectural styles.
Americans have their own versions of this: how and whether to return federal lands like National Parks to Native Americans. Also, how and whether to pay reparations for slavery.
I've been to the Parthenon but I haven't had a chance to see the Elgin marbles in person yet! I want to see the Tennessee recreation of the Parthenon sometime, too.
It is complex. With the fall of Constantinople in 1204, the victorious Venetians pillaged and plundered the defeated city and the four horses were dismantled and shipped to their new resting place atop St. Mark's Basilica as a symbol of triumph. Are they going back to Turkey? What about the Temple of Dendur at the Metropolitan Museum? An ancient Egyptian temple built in the first century B.C. a gift from Egypt to the United States. Did the government have the right to give away a piece of the country's heritage? Did London have the right to sell London Bridge to the US. Then there's The Cloisters in New York, not to mention the huge number of historical objects stolen by Hearst. There's even talk about the Koh-i-noor diamond being repatriated but four different countries claim to be its rightful owner. And if repatriated who benefits ?
So many great examples! Thank you!
Thanks for this. My first exposure to the missing sculptures was at the Parthenon and inside the Acropolis Museum, this year.
The story of "The West" is powerful with many layers. the British colonial period influences American culture, too: Philadelphia, where I'm from, with its namesake drawn from Greek, a name that even can be traced back to an ancient Lydian city in Anatolia. I guess my point is there's trajectory and direction to this historical paradigm, artifacts and sculptures aside, it lives in the Americas, in names and in architectural styles.
Americans have their own versions of this: how and whether to return federal lands like National Parks to Native Americans. Also, how and whether to pay reparations for slavery.
I've been to the Parthenon but I haven't had a chance to see the Elgin marbles in person yet! I want to see the Tennessee recreation of the Parthenon sometime, too.
What!? How did I never know that existed. Yes, sounds idiosyncratic and amazing.
Right?!
Absolutely fascinating!
Thank you ☺️