Hartwig Fischer said that removing the Parthenon marbles from Greece was a ‘creative act’ – but there is a logic to this provocative view that shouldn’t be dismissed out of hand The British Museum has tended to keep its lips sealed approximately its most controversial set of treasures: the sculptures removed from the Parthenon in Athens by Lord Elgin at the start of the 19th century. I know,because I’ve taken part in public debates to assign its case – without anyone from the museum to back me up – most recently at University College London, which is so close to the museum that its curators would occupy only needed to pop around the corner to say their piece. Related: British Museum chief: taking the Parthenon marbles was 'creative' Placing these sculptures in the British Museum was an act of reverence.“To what green altar, and O mysterious priest,
Lead’st thou that heifer lowing at the skies,
And all her silken flanks with garlands drest?”Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com