The so-called Elgin Marbles are one of the best known cases of contested cultural objects in museums. They comprise a large group of sculptures and reliefs that were removed from the Parthenon temple in Athens by a British lord in the early 19th century. Today they reside in the British Museum. Greece has been actively seeking their return since the 1980s, and many international organizations have advocated on Greece’s behalf, including many in Britain. This talk will examine the arguments that have been made in support of the Greek case and how they have changed over time. In particular, the talk will focus on long-standing assertions about the alleged “exceptionalism” of the Parthenon sculptures, and whether such arguments help or harm the larger cause of the decolonization of museums.
Martha Sharp Joukowsky Lectureships
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