Parthenon Marbles

Parthenon Marbles
Steve Swayne · CC BY 2.0 · source
Title	Parthenon Marbles
Artist	Phidias, Ictinus, Callicrates
Year	447-432 BCE
Type	Marble sculpture
Location	British Museum, Acropolis Museum

Parthenon Marbles. The Parthenon Marbles are a collection of classical Greek marble sculptures created by Phidias, Ictinus, and Callicrates for the Parthenon in Athens, Greece, and are considered some of the greatest surviving examples of Ancient Greek art. The marbles were originally part of the Parthenon's frieze, metopes, and pediments, and were designed to depict scenes from Greek mythology, including the Olympian gods and goddesses such as Zeus, Poseidon, and Athena. The marbles have been the subject of controversy and debate, particularly regarding their removal from the Parthenon by Lord Elgin and their current location in the British Museum and the Acropolis Museum, with many calling for their repatriation to Greece, supported by UNESCO, the European Union, and International Council of Museums.

History of the Parthenon Marbles

The history of the Parthenon Marbles dates back to the 5th century BCE, when they were created for the Parthenon in Athens, Greece, during the reign of Pericles. The marbles were designed to depict scenes from Greek mythology, including the Olympian gods and goddesses such as Zeus, Poseidon, and Athena, and were created by some of the most renowned artists of the time, including Phidias, Ictinus, and Callicrates. The marbles were an integral part of the Parthenon's design, and were meant to be seen in conjunction with the temple's architecture, which was influenced by Doric order and Ionic order. The Parthenon was built during the Golden Age of Athens, a period of significant cultural and artistic achievement in Ancient Greece, which also saw the works of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. The marbles have been admired and studied by many, including Johann Joachim Winckelmann, Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, and Immanuel Kant, who were influenced by the Enlightenment and the Neoclassicism movement.

Creation and Original Placement

The creation of the Parthenon Marbles was a complex and time-consuming process, involving many skilled artisans and craftsmen, including sculptors, masons, and architects. The marbles were carved from Pentelic marble, a type of marble found in Mount Pentelicus, and were designed to be highly detailed and ornate, with intricate carvings and sculptures, inspired by the works of Praxiteles and Lysippos. The marbles were originally placed on the Parthenon's frieze, metopes, and pediments, where they were meant to be seen by the public, including visitors to the Acropolis of Athens, such as Napoleon Bonaparte and Lord Byron. The marbles were an integral part of the Parthenon's design, and were meant to be seen in conjunction with the temple's architecture, which was influenced by Doric order and Ionic order, and the works of Vitruvius and Leon Battista Alberti. The Parthenon was built during the Golden Age of Athens, a period of significant cultural and artistic achievement in Ancient Greece, which also saw the works of Euripides, Aeschylus, and Sophocles.

Removal and Dispersal

The removal of the Parthenon Marbles from the Parthenon was a controversial and complex process, involving Lord Elgin, the British Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, who was granted permission by the Ottoman Sultan to remove the marbles, despite opposition from Greece and other European countries, including France and Italy. The marbles were removed from the Parthenon between 1801 and 1812, and were transported to Britain, where they were sold to the British Museum in 1816, with the support of King George III and Prince Regent. The marbles were later displayed in the British Museum, where they remain to this day, along with other notable works of art, including the Rosetta Stone and the Easter Island statues, and have been seen by many notable visitors, including Charles Darwin, Charles Dickens, and Oscar Wilde. However, many of the marbles were damaged or destroyed during the removal process, and some were sold to private collectors, including Napoleon Bonaparte and King Louis XVIII of France.

Current Location and Ownership

The current location and ownership of the Parthenon Marbles is a subject of controversy and debate, with many calling for their repatriation to Greece, supported by UNESCO, the European Union, and International Council of Museums. The majority of the marbles are currently located in the British Museum in London, Britain, while some are located in the Acropolis Museum in Athens, Greece, and others are scattered in museums and private collections around the world, including the Louvre in Paris, France, and the Vatican Museums in Vatican City. The British Museum has argued that the marbles are part of its collection and are protected by British law, including the British Museum Act 1753 and the National Heritage Act 1983, while the Greek government has argued that the marbles were removed illegally and should be returned to their country of origin, with the support of European Court of Human Rights and International Committee of the Blue Shield.

Restoration and Preservation Efforts

The restoration and preservation of the Parthenon Marbles is an ongoing process, involving the British Museum, the Acropolis Museum, and other institutions, including the Getty Conservation Institute and the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property. The marbles have undergone significant restoration and conservation work over the years, including cleaning, repair, and reconstruction, using techniques developed by Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts and Canadian Conservation Institute. The British Museum has also developed a comprehensive conservation plan for the marbles, which includes regular monitoring, cleaning, and repair, in collaboration with English Heritage and Historic England. However, the marbles remain fragile and vulnerable to damage, and require ongoing care and maintenance to ensure their preservation for future generations, with the support of World Heritage Centre and International Council on Monuments and Sites.

Controversy and Repatriation Debates

The controversy and repatriation debates surrounding the Parthenon Marbles are complex and ongoing, involving Greece, Britain, and other countries, including France, Italy, and United States. The Greek government has long argued that the marbles were removed illegally and should be returned to their country of origin, with the support of UNESCO, the European Union, and International Council of Museums. The British Museum has argued that the marbles are part of its collection and are protected by British law, including the British Museum Act 1753 and the National Heritage Act 1983. However, many experts and organizations, including the International Council of Museums and the World Heritage Centre, have called for the repatriation of the marbles to Greece, citing the principles of cultural heritage and cultural property, and the need to reunite the marbles with their original context and cultural significance, as advocated by Melina Mercouri and Jacques Lang. The debate continues to be a topic of discussion and controversy, with many arguing that the marbles are a cultural treasure that belongs to Greece and should be returned, with the support of European Court of Human Rights and International Committee of the Blue Shield. Category:Art