Survey of Art History 1- Quiz 5
Question 1
Lord Elgin was interested in the Parthenon Marbles because he believed that by bringing them back to the UK they could be used as a model for inspiration to the British architects and artists. He also believed that by seeing great artworks would help a person to become enlightened by being infected by the spirit of the piece and the artist. The original intention of Lord Elgin was to bring the ancient Greek culture to Britain. This was aimed at raising the standards of his society. It was clear that his intentions were noble. Once Lord Elgin had them in his possession he claimed that he was rescuing them from further destruction. Although this was his argument, it is believed that he had other ulterior motives. He was constructing a bigger country house and these drawings were meant to assist with the design.
Question 2
The pressure to return the marbles to Greece has been on the rise, and the Greek government has made official requests from the 1980s to have them returned permanently. The Greeks argue that they are a prime source of their cultural heritage. The marbles represent the origin of their culture and should be returned. They also claim that they were attained illegally by a foreign government since the Greek got their independence a few tears after Elgin took them. Lord Elgin is said to have looted them according to Greek official website. The Greeks also argue that the British Museum does not have any legal rights to hold the marbles. These arguments have been termed void and invalid by the British Museum. Massive works are going on to restore and stabilize the Parthenon Marbles. A new Acropolis museum floor has been built to recreate the Parthenon Marbles as hopes of getting them back diminish.
Question 3
The British Museum has said “no” to the Greeks. The British Museum maintains that the Parthenon Marbles are important to the purpose of the museum. This is because it is a World Museum that tells the story of human cultural achievements. They argue that the Greek culture meets with other great civilizations such as from Egypt, Rome and Persia in this Museum. Therefore, the contributions of ancient Greece civilization to the growth of later European, Asian, and African cultural achievements can be traced and understood. The British Museum also argues that they have the right to keep the Marbles since they saved them from impending damage. This argument is supported by the fact that the marbles that were left in Greece are already damaged. The Greek government declined to take any legal claim over the marbles, which is perceived that Greece has no legal right behind their demands.
Question 4
According to the author, the possible hidden motivation for wanting the marbles could be because they symbolize the development of the contemporary ideas of national heritage and global display. This motivation argues that localized regions have the best claim over items produced there. The marbles also act as a source of tourist attraction and bring pride to the country. Therefore the Greeks feel that the British Museum stole their pride. On the other hand, the British Museum feel that they have the right to retain the marbles because they are an international museum. They believe that being a world-class museum it would be right to return the marbles. The British Museum believe that the marbles would be safer in their possession rather than in Greeks possession. Another possible hidden motivation is that British Museum believes that Lord Elgin was given the marbles and it could be wrong to return them. The British Museum might also be nervous that the return of the Elgin marble might open a way for the return of other hundreds of artefacts.
Question 5
In my own opinion, I believe the marbles should be returned to Greece. The marbles represent the origin and the growth of the modern ideas of national heritage and global display, and therefore should be owned by the countries that developed them. Therefore, the citizens of the modern era should have the right to own items that were produced people many years ago. Another reason is that Lord Elgin looted the marbles and therefore did not legally get them. As a matter of integrity and ethics, it would be right to return the marbles to the owner country. Also, holding artefacts in a culture that does not recognize them is not right. Artefacts should be held in countries with cultures that accept and practice a similar culture. Therefore, I find it ethical and reasonable for the British Museum to return the marbles to Greece.