Subscribe to RSS FeedI was feeling quite sympathetic to the Chinese until I read the above robust comment. Yes-good point, but the New China is prepared to value its past and is now open to the tourist industry. It could be that an arrangement will be made to help them to buy it back. Good relations can be built in such ways and the objects are more authentic and pleasing in their original setting.
I was visiting the Acropolis in Athens a couple of years ago and everywhere little groups of tourists were being told about the bad British who stole the Marble statues. It was like it had just happened the other day!
Catherine’s comment could apply-if left in place they would undoubtedly have perished-a mosque and a catholic church had graced the site in the intervening years and the Turkish army was garrisoned there when Sir Elgin negotiated the purchase of the statues from the Ottoman official in residence, around 1799/1801 . They are now on display in the British Museum, but would surely be better displayed near the Parthenon.
Life and art are never simple.