What's happened
The ancient bronze head of a griffin, a 7th-century B.C. artifact, has been returned to Greece from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Culture Minister Lina Mendoni hailed the return as significant, coinciding with the election of the first female president of the International Olympic Committee, Kirsty Coventry.
What's behind the headline?
Significance of the Return
- The return of the griffin head marks a pivotal moment in cultural restitution, reflecting a growing trend among museums to address historical injustices.
- Greece's collaboration with the Met highlights a shift towards transparency in provenance research, as the museum has recently expanded its team to ensure ethical acquisitions.
Broader Implications
- This event may bolster Greece's ongoing efforts to reclaim the Parthenon Sculptures, as it demonstrates a willingness from institutions to engage in cultural exchange.
- The return aligns with a global movement advocating for the repatriation of cultural heritage, emphasizing the importance of historical context in art ownership.
Future Outlook
- As museums worldwide reassess their collections, we can expect more artifacts to be returned, fostering international cooperation and cultural dialogue.
What the papers say
According to The Independent, Culture Minister Lina Mendoni described the return of the griffin as a significant moment, stating, "After decades of absence, the griffin returns from the Metropolitan Museum in New York to the place it belongs." The New York Times elaborates on the Met's recent efforts to improve provenance research, noting that the museum has expanded its team and is now more vigilant about the origins of its artifacts. AP News reinforces this narrative, highlighting the importance of the griffin's return in the context of Greece's broader campaign for cultural restitution, particularly regarding the Parthenon Sculptures.
How we got here
The griffin head was taken from an archaeological museum in Olympia in the 1930s and entered the Met's collection in 1972. Greece has long campaigned for the return of cultural artifacts, including the Parthenon Sculptures, which remain in the British Museum.
Go deeper
- What other artifacts has Greece reclaimed recently?
- How is the Met changing its acquisition policies?
- What impact does this have on international cultural relations?
More on these topics
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Kirsty Leigh Coventry Seward is the current Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation in the Cabinet of Zimbabwe as of September 2018.
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The Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York City, colloquially "the Met", is the largest art museum in the United States. With 6,479,548 visitors to its three locations in 2019, it was the fourth most visited art museum in the world.