Wednesday, May 07, 2025

Elgin Marbles and Radcliffe Lines

Pic: With the British Museum dome above us. We talk a lot of trash about The British Museum and their culture of "taking" and "borrowing." But when we're actually there at the museum, the dominant feeling is awe for the sheer wealth of human accomplishment on display.

Choice quotes: "No matter where you're from, you'll feel at home in the British Museum because there will be stuff from your home country there." Ha. 
"You mean to say he just took the stuff from the ancient Greeks and then named it after himself?!" Cf. Elgin

And I can't help thinking how the India-Pakistan discord is the legacy of British misrule, mismanagement, and drawing hasty borderlines. 

14 comments:

Nicole said...

There is a podcast called Stuff The British Stole and it's about exactly that!

Jeanie said...

The British Museum is one spot I haven't been. It always goes on the next-time list and then gets bumped down. Next time.

StephLove said...

Noah enjoyed the British Museum when he was there in December (and had similar thoughts).

Gillian said...

Nice.

Nance said...

This makes me think of a line from the movie "The Last of the Mohicans." It's during the French and Indian War, and at a fort in Albany, a colonial is negotiating with a British general about whether or not his militia will support the Brits on the battlefield. A visiting and very stuffy British officer is horrified at the back and forth and says, "I thought that British policies make the world England!"
Obviously, you can put an 's at the end of England, too!

maya said...

Yes!! It went on the recommended list as both you and Engie had recommended it last time.

maya said...

The building alone is worth the visit, Jeanie. (Funnily, I made a similar comment on your post about the Portrait Gallery!)

maya said...

I was very tempted by their teas... I remember Noah bringing back tea for you and/or Beth.

maya said...

Thanks!

maya said...

Thanks for the chuckle, Nance!

Lisa's Yarns said...

Well that quote about the music is rather funny - but sad at the same time. :(

NGS said...

Does it feel weird to be at the British Museum? I just don't know how I'd feel about it!

maya said...

But we have to laugh...

maya said...

It does feel weird! And a bit wrong!

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