EconTalk Tiffany Jenkins on Plunder, Museums, and Marbles
Jan 16, 2023
Tiffany Jenkins, author of "Keeping Their Marbles", dives into the contentious repatriation debate of the Elgin Marbles, exploring their historical significance and the implications of British colonialism. She delves into the art of looting during Napoleonic conquests, discussing how military victories influenced cultural artifacts. Jenkins also critiques the evolving role of museums, questioning their purpose between education and social justice, while emphasizing the complex narratives surrounding ownership and cultural restitution.
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Museum Importance
- Museums offer an encounter with the past, transporting visitors to different times and cultures.
- They inspire reflection on human achievement and our place within the chain of generations.
Elgin Marbles Acquisition
- The Elgin Marbles, sculptures from the Parthenon, reside in the British Museum due to a deal with the Ottomans.
- Lord Elgin acquired them, faced financial hardship, and eventually sold them to the British government.
Historical Discomfort with Acquisition
- Public opinion on acquiring artifacts wasn't uniformly positive, even during periods of colonialism.
- Many in England felt uneasy about acquiring items like the Elgin Marbles and objects from Peking.