Acropolis now
Henry Sands says Athens’s new museum is missing its Marbles
We have come to understand that missing sections from museum displays of ancient sculpture are the inevitable result of parts breaking off and becoming lost to the world. But at the New Acropolis Museum in Athens we know exactly where to find the stones that would fill those accusatory gaps.
The empty spaces act as a poignant reminder to the viewer that the collection is not complete — and that it will remain incomplete as long as the Elgin Marbles sit in the Duveen Room of the British Museum, their home since 1816. Now that there is a place to show them off, there is new sense of optimism among the Greeks that they may finally be reunited with the Marbles they believe to be rightfully theirs.
It is more than 200 years since Lord Elgin, the British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, removed sections of the marble frieze. Many believe it to have been one of the greatest acts of vandalism of all time. Could he have imagined what a contentious issue it would be between Greece and Britain two centuries later?
A couple of years ago, the British archaeologist Dorothy King dismissed the Greek government’s call for the return of the marbles: ‘I think they should start looking after what they have. Most of the Parthenon sculpture in Athens isn’t on display and hasn’t been cared for.’
It’s an accusation that is hard to sustain now that the new museum is complete. Situated at the base of the Acropolis, it boasts an exact replica of the Parthenon Gallery, where the remaining marbles are now displayed. Every effort, even down to lighting controls that simulate outside light, has been made to show the marbles as they once were.
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James Hamilton
August 28th, 2008 4:57pmAnd quite right too. Excellent piece.
Elizabeth Pavlaki
August 28th, 2008 5:22pmI cannot understand why the Parthenon marbles have not been returned to their rightful home. To say the Greeks will not be able to look after them is a lame excuse. It is part of the Greek heritage and as such the Greeks should be the guardians of the Parthenon marbles.
Kenneth Perry
August 28th, 2008 7:14pmIf Lord Elgin had not rescued the marbles,being neglected as they were in 1816, they would have been lost to the world for ever. At the time the British Museum offered the best professional care,although they made mistakes in this:mistakes which have only been rectified in the late 20th Century.If the Greeks can now care for them properly,obviously Athens is now the place for them. But return should be made on the basis of global commonsense culture,not bogus claims based on rectifying alleged vandalism.
Robert Walmart
August 29th, 2008 7:33amKenneth,
The British Museum used acid to "clean" the marbles whilst they were in their "care". What say you now?
cuffleyburgers
August 30th, 2008 9:52amI am quite open to the idea of the Greeks being allowed to buy them back.
However I have no doubt that New Labour scum will bow the knee to the Brussels and give them away as Mc Bungler tries to buy himself a future in politics with our cash and our liberties...
Digenis
September 1st, 2008 12:58pmAll British arguments against returning the Parthenon Marbles have been exposed as either deceit or dissembling and have come down to one position: "We had the power to take them; you lack the power to get them back", that and some of the most childish cavilling imaginable.
As Henry Sands reports, the interior of the new museum is magnificent both in form and function. I don't agree with the architects, however, about the insignificance of the disappointing exterior. It is ironic when considers that the Parthenon itself, like all ancient Greek temples, was meant to grace Athens with its beautiful exterior.
Cuffleyburgher's idea that the Greeks be allowed to buy back the Parthenon Marbles (plus interest and inflation I would think) has merit. Elgin paid the Greeks absolutely nothing for them.
Charlie C
September 1st, 2008 4:16pmThe "Elgin Marbles" represent only a portion (albeit by far the largest collection) of the surviving Parthenon sculptures, with the next largest collection outside Athens being held in the Louvre. L'enfer will freeze over before the French return their holding...
Lady Jane
September 2nd, 2008 12:48amExcellent. I do love the photo of young Henry in a panama AND a djellabah. Not contradictory at all. Now tell me exactly again how young Henry 'son of Sarah' Sands got his big break in journalism?
Victoria Lenahan
September 2nd, 2008 3:31pmI suspect, 'Lady Jane', that his break was from writing excellent pieces such as this one. Is it so surprising that a son of a journalist, who has grown up with journalism all around him, then chooses to become a journalist too? You do make yourself sound awfully 'chippy'.
Findme
September 3rd, 2008 5:01pmThe vandalism was not alleged,
it truly happened, foreigners removed them from their rightful
place, the fact that they paid the Turks for it means nothing.Also,the British cleaned them using copper bristle brushes and the careful keepers gave party(few years ago), where
guests could touch the marbles.
If ever returned the Greeks might
find trace of chicken tikka masala on them.
GK
September 3rd, 2008 5:09pmIf the marbles will ever be returned, the Greeks may find trace of chicken tikka masala on them since the British would give parties where the guests could touch the marbles.