Art has been the source of education, entertainment, history and overall culture for centuries beyond one’s comprehension. With this, one would think that art would be a source of overall connection rather than divide, but it seems that the art world has more problems than the beautiful works lead to deceive.
After looking at the image of the Caryatids of Erechtheion, sometimes called the “sisters,” lined up in a powerful and beautiful way in the Museum of Greece, but missing a piece, missing a sister, it made me wonder if they would ever be reunited.
The story of the Caryatids is one that has been felt and continues to be debated within the art community around the world, as due to the colonization of countries by powerful nations in the past some of the conquered nations have asked for their, in some cases, stolen, artwork back.
Experienced educator within Psychology and Ancient History Kerry Lust explained and gave insight into the sourcing of ancient artifacts and art within mediums such as the British Museum.
“There’s a lot of controversy around it because a lot of art, especially from areas like the Middle East and Egypt are in different areas of the world…the main reason is because at some point these countries were colonized and the explorers just thought that the art could be taken back to the country that had power,” explained Lust.
Moreover, Lust explains that some of the countries from which some art originates from have had continuous fights in order to gain ownership of said artifacts. Egypt specifically was named by Lust, mentioning that for years the nation has requested the British Museum to transfer ownership of some of the key pieces of art in history- such as the Rosetta Stone.
The Rosetta Stone is one of the many pieces being called on to be returned to Egypt from the Egyptian government, yet the British Museum refutes these calls due to treaties of the time of when the tablet was taken.
The sentiment felt by Egyptian officials is not the only instance of significant artifacts being away from their native countries, though.
One can look at the ownership of these artworks through many scopes, though, as Lust explained that through some work being in a different place of origin may allow people to look at pieces from all over the world, rather than only one place. Lust credits this for a spread of both entertainment and education.
“I think no matter what it should be the country [of origin] that gets to decide where and when to display their art,” expressed Lust in regards to her opinion on the matter.
Though many countries have preceded in the actions of returning artifacts to their country of origin, there are many cases in which this is not the case, which begs the question, where do ethics and art collide?
