“ Elgin believed he was rescuing the sculptures from the risk of further damage ,” writes Neil MacGregor, director of the British Museum, in The Times on Friday. ... Elgin, an art lover, claimed the sculptures were better off in Britain than the perilous environment he found them in.
Why did Elgin take the marbles?
According to the British Museum, Elgin was granted a firman (letter of instruction) granting him permission to take away the pieces... ... “as a personal gesture after he encouraged the British forces in their fight to drive the French out of Egypt , which was then an Ottoman possession”.
Who gave Lord Elgin permission to take the marbles?
The objects were removed from the Parthenon at Athens and from other ancient buildings and shipped to England by arrangement of Thomas Bruce, 7th Lord Elgin , who was British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire (1799–1803).
When did Lord Elgin remove the marbles?
Ever since their acquisition by the British nation in 1816, their ownership has been contentious. The Parthenon marbles are often called the “Elgin Marbles,” after Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin, who had them removed from the Acropolis complex between 1801 and 1812 .
Did Lord Elgin pay for the marbles?
Despite objections that Lord Elgin had “ruined Athens” by the time his work was done in 1805, the British Government purchased the marbles from him in 1816 . They’ve been housed at the British Museum ever since.
Why won’t Britain return the Elgin Marbles?
Boris Johnson won’t return 2,500-year-old Elgin Marbles to Greece as they had been ‘legally acquired’ by British Museum . The 2,500-year-old sculptures were removed from the Acropolis more than 200 years ago and have long been the subject of dispute.
Why are the Elgin Marbles so controversial?
Many argue that British excavation, transit and preservation of the Elgin marbles have caused more damage than 2,000 years of exposure to natural elements on the Acropolis . Indeed, 19th century London pollution caused such severe discolouration to the stone that restoration was desperately needed.
Did Britain buy the Elgin marbles?
The Marbles were transported by sea to Britain. ... Following a public debate in Parliament and its subsequent exoneration of Elgin, he sold the Marbles to the British government in 1816 . They were then passed into the trusteeship of the British Museum, where they are now on display in the purpose-built Duveen Gallery.
Did Elgin cheat at marbles?
Although it has been unchallenged for the better part of two centuries, there is little truth to this story. Scottish Marror made It is true that Lord Elgin told a parliamentary committee that he took the marbles from the Parthenon to rescue them and to improve aesthetic tastes in England.
How the Parthenon lost his marbles?
Exposed on the Acropolis, the Parthenon was a highly vulnerable target, and in September that year, a deadly blow fell: A Venetian mortar struck it , causing a colossal explosion that destroyed its roof, leaving only the pediments standing.
Who stole the Greek marbles?
On this day in 1801, Lord Elgin removed and stole the Parthenon Marbles from Greece. In the early morning light on July 31, 1801, a ship-carpenter, five crew members, and twenty Athenian labourers “mounted the walls” of the Parthenon and removed one of Greece’s most important pieces of history.
When did British Museum get Elgin marbles?
In 1816 , the British Museum bought the Marbles from Elgin. The Elgin Marbles, as they became known, became an instant phenomenon when they went on view the following year.
Where did the marble for the Parthenon come from?
The main building material was Pentelic marble quarried from the flanks of Mt. Pentelikon , located about 10 mi/ 16 km from Athens. (The old Parthenon, the one destroyed by the Persians while it was partway through construction was the first temple to use this kind of marble.)
Did Elgin save the marbles?
Whatever Elgin’s motives, there is no doubt at all that he saved his sculpture from worse damage . However, in prising out some of the pieces that still remained in place, his agents inevitably inflicted further damage on the fragile ruin.
What famous site is the name of Lord Elgin connected to?
Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin and 11th Earl of Kincardine FSA Scot (/ˈɛlɡɪn/; 20 July 1766 – 14 November 1841) was a Scottish nobleman, soldier, politician and diplomat, known primarily for the controversial procurement of marble sculptures (known as the Elgin Marbles) from the Parthenon in Athens .
Why does the British Museum want to keep the Elgin marbles?
The British Museum argues that the sculptures in their collection should remain in London because there’s nowhere to house them in Greece and that the Greek authorities can’t look after them .
