The British Museum & the Elgin Marbles
How the Museum acquired them and why they should keep them
Good morning,
I am writing a piece on the latest dance over the Elgin Marbles which I will post, but as many of you have been asking for something now, in the meantime I enclose two relevant videos.
The first is an in-depth conversation with Russ Roberts, an American economist on museums, plunder and the Marbles.
The second is a very lively debate that took place in the shadow of the Acropolis - I felt at times as if the gods looking down on us were going to turn me into a serpent. The discussion, titled: Who Owns Art? also featured the artist Victor Ehikhamenor and Tristram Hunt, Director, Victoria and Albert Museum. As you will see, it got quite heated in parts.
And of course, if you haven’t read my book Keeping Their Marbles: How Museums Acquired Them and Why They Should Keep Them, now is a good time to pick up a copy.