In the context of this artwork, explain the Rationale for remaining in London of the Return controversy.
A range of arguments has been presented by scholars, British political leaders and the British Museum for the retention of the Elgin Marbles in London. These include the following:Elgin acquired the marbles legally and no court of law would find in favour of a Greek complainant.
Elgin rescued the marbles from destruction and those in the British Museum are in better condition than those left behind. The British Museum has a right to retain and publicly display what it preserved from destruction.
Bringing the Parthenon sculptures together as a unified whole is impossible as half had been lost or destroyed by 1800.
The British Museum display allows the marbles to be better viewed in the context of other major ancient cultures and thus complements the perspective provided by the Acropolis Museum collection.
Fulfilling all restitution claims would empty most of the world's great museums – this has also caused concerns among other European and American museums, with one potential target being the Nefertiti Bust in Berlin's Neues Museum; in addition, portions of Parthenon marbles are kept by many other European museums.
The British Museum receives about 6 million visitors per year as opposed to 1.5 million visitors to the Acropolis Museum. The removal of the marbles to Greece would significantly reduce the number of people who have the opportunity to visit the marbles.
The Elgin Marbles have been on public display in England since 1807 and in that time have become a part of the British cultural heritage.
Acropolis British Museum Nefertiti Bust marble Parthenon Acropolis Museum London Marble Neues Museum Greece