In association with The Arts Society, Wellington

In the two centuries since they were removed from the Parthenon by Lord Elgin, the meaning and significance of the ‘Elgin marbles’ has changed dramatically. First, it is important to understand the unique magnificence of the sculptures. Then we trace the vicissitudes of the building and how Lord Elgin 'acquired' the sculptures, brought them to Britain and subsequently sold them to the British Museum. From architectural decoration to disputed cultural objects this lecture looks at how the significance or 'meaning' of the sculptures has changed over time. This will be an objective account of the issues surrounding the restitution debate. Never far from the headlines, the aim will be to inform your view: should they stay in London, or should they go back to Athens?

Alan has a master’s and a first-class honours degree in History of Art from Birkbeck College, University of London. He is a gallery guide at Tate Britain and regularly lectures at both London Tates (Tate Britain and Tate Modern). He has lectured for The Arts Society for fifteen years and for twenty years he was a gallery guide and lecturer at the National Portrait Gallery in London and the Dulwich Picture Gallery. He also works as a London Blue Badge Tourist Guide. His particular interest is nineteenth and early twentieth century British art and the history of London and its art collections.

Image by awsloley from Pixabay