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Many historical artifacts were obtained under conditions we would not repeat today. You could argue that almost all artifacts of other cultures in western museu

Many historical artifacts were obtained under conditions we would not repeat today. You could argue that almost all artifacts of other cultures in western museums are stolen, but not everyone goes that far. The British Museum is embroiled in many such controversies[1] and has put up statements around their Parthenon sculptures[2]. Large artifacts have been returned by nation states[3]. Generally, as I understand it, museums will keep artifacts they obtained under a framework that was legal at the time of its construction. Modern critics point out that these legal frameworks likely would not have been accepted by the population of the country giving up the artifact. The Hobby Lobby artifacts do not even have a questionable legal framework as a fig leaf over their theft. They were taken in violation of international law as well as Iraqi and US law. [1] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/04/british-museum-is-worlds-largest-receiver-of-stolen-goods-says-qc https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/04/british-museum... [2] https://www.britishmuseum.org/parthenon-sculptures-trustees-statement https://www.britishmuseum.org/parthenon-sculptures-trustees-... [3] https://whc.unesco.org/en/news/116 https://whc.unesco.org/en/news/116

hinkley 6y ago
The British Museum was disappointing to me. I don't know what they're doing with the space, but if someone had told me that the British Museum was the same size as the Art Institute of Chicago it would have turned into an argument. Meanwhile the Louvre is so big (>2.5x the size) that you have to pace yourself. But that's not what was really disappointing. I had a vague comprehension that the British Museum contained artifacts that other countries wanted repatriated, and then I walked in and I knew. I knew exactly what they were talking about. It didn't feel like a museum. It felt like I had wandered into a pirates treasure cave. Other museums have works that were purchased through channels, or loaned out. They have cultural artifacts and archaeological pieces that are contemporary to the region, offering vignettes into history, how we got to be here today. I was just looking at colonial plunder. In an era where sane people would be scrambling to define themselves any other way.
- coldpie 6y ago
  > The British Museum was disappointing to me. I don't know what they're doing with the space, but if someone had told me that the British Museum was the same size as the Art Institute of Chicago it would have turned into an argument. Meanwhile the Louvre is so big (>2.5x the size) that you have to pace yourself. Whaat! I visited the British museum for the first time a couple years ago. I spent two whole days there and still didn't see everything I wanted to! > But that's not what was really disappointing. I had a vague comprehension that the British Museum contained artifacts that other countries wanted repatriated, and then I walked in and I knew. I knew exactly what they were talking about. It didn't feel like a museum. It felt like I had wandered into a pirates treasure cave. However this, I get. I can definitely see that point of view dampening your experience.

hinkley 6y ago

The British Museum was disappointing to me. I don't know what they're doing with the space, but if someone had told me that the British Museum was the same size as the Art Institute of Chicago it would have turned into an argument. Meanwhile the Louvre is so big (>2.5x the size) that you have to pace yourself. But that's not what was really disappointing. I had a vague comprehension that the British Museum contained artifacts that other countries wanted repatriated, and then I walked in and I knew. I knew exactly what they were talking about. It didn't feel like a museum. It felt like I had wandered into a pirates treasure cave. Other museums have works that were purchased through channels, or loaned out. They have cultural artifacts and archaeological pieces that are contemporary to the region, offering vignettes into history, how we got to be here today. I was just looking at colonial plunder. In an era where sane people would be scrambling to define themselves any other way.

coldpie 6y ago
> The British Museum was disappointing to me. I don't know what they're doing with the space, but if someone had told me that the British Museum was the same size as the Art Institute of Chicago it would have turned into an argument. Meanwhile the Louvre is so big (>2.5x the size) that you have to pace yourself. Whaat! I visited the British museum for the first time a couple years ago. I spent two whole days there and still didn't see everything I wanted to! > But that's not what was really disappointing. I had a vague comprehension that the British Museum contained artifacts that other countries wanted repatriated, and then I walked in and I knew. I knew exactly what they were talking about. It didn't feel like a museum. It felt like I had wandered into a pirates treasure cave. However this, I get. I can definitely see that point of view dampening your experience.