Imperialism, Art and Restitution

This book is about whether or not great works of art should be returned.

John Henry Merryman (Edited by)

9780521123877, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 17 December 2009

280 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.6 cm, 0.41 kg

"....Overall, the quality of writing and editing is exemplary throughout the book."
--James A.R. Nafziger, Williamette University College of Law, American Journal of International Law

The issue of returning art and cultural property removed from explored or conquered lands by Americans and Europeans is an unresolved problem. This book is about the return, or not, of works of art and antiquity taken during the Age of Imperialism and now held in museums and private collections. Arguments put forth by the states seeking return or restitution for lost art treasures and meaningful cultural icons are pitted against conservator interests who maintain that these art treasures and cultural artefacts belong to all humanity and should be preserved in museums. In this volume, scholars and authorities on art, cultural property law and museum collections offer contrasting views on topics such as the Elgin Marbles, the return of the Nefertiti Bust and the problems and progress of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA).

Foreword John O. Haley
Introduction John Henry Merryman
1. View from the universal museum James Cuno
2. From global pillage to pillars of collaboration Talat Halman
3. Museums as centres of cultural understanding Willard L. Boyd
4. The Parthenon and the Elgin Marbles William St. Clair
5. Whither the Elgin Marbles? John Henry Merryman
6. The beautiful one has come - to return: the return of the bust of Nefertiti from Berlin to Cairo Kurt Siehr
7. The beautiful one has come - to stay Stephen Urice
8. NAGPRA from the middle distance: reflections on a tangled web of institutional process and intercultural justice Michael F. Brown
9. Finders and keepers and deep American history: some lessons in dispute resolution David Hurst Thomas.

Subject Areas: Jurisprudence & general issues [LA]