Those who oppose the return of the Parthenon marbles to Greece should see the remaining sculptures in the purpose-built Acropolis Museum in Athens, where – proudly displayed – they glow in the natural light for which they were created. Compare that with the British Museum’s dreary presentation – lifeless specimens languishing out of context in a grey, windowless hall – and there’s no question which is the better place for them.
It is inconceivable that the British public care remotely as much for these marbles as the Greeks do – and imagine the joy, gratitude and benefit for our international reputation if we restored them to their home.
The Greek prime minister’s analogy of a Mona Lisa being cut in half is only partly correct (Parthenon marbles row raises fresh fears over fraught UK-EU relations, 28 November). Yes, the whole is far greater than the sum of the parts, and the marbles should be presented together, but they are more than a work of art – they are a Greek national icon, integral to the country’s history and culture. It’s as if the Greeks had stolen Nelson from his column and dumped him in a side room of Athens town hall. It is disingenuous of our government to protest that the law affecting the marbles is insurmountable, especially with its current attitude to migrant legislation. The British Museum surely has the wit to make good replicas for its display, but if you want to view these wonderful marbles at their best, see them in Athens.
Richard O’Brien
Highbridge, Somerset
• Here’s a proposal: the government finds the money to commission Factum Arte to make exact replicas of the pieces at issue. The British Museum holds a blockbuster exhibition inviting the public to come and see if we can tell the difference (that will raise some much-needed money for the museum). Then the originals are shipped back to Greece, and ownership transferred back by an act of parliament, as is apparently legally required. And the replicas go on display in the British Museum in perpetuity – assuming, that is, the curators can tell the difference.
Pam Lunn
Kenilworth, Warwickshire
• Rishi Sunak’s refusal to meet the Greek prime minister because he’d discussed the Parthenon marbles in a BBC interview is wrong and small-minded. We surely can do better than this. Lord Byron, in The Curse of Minerva, bemoans Lord Elgin’s vandalism in removing them. The bicentenary of Byron’s death is next year. What better way to mark it than return them to their rightful place? Then no longer would we “in silent indignation mixed with grief, admire the plunder, but abhor the thief”.
Michael Wild
Plymouth
• Having amply demonstrated his lack of political nous in domestic affairs, is Rishi Sunak now working to show he can replicate this absence of skill set on the international stage?
Rachel Chaloner
Seacombe, Wirral
• If the government can try to overrule the law by deporting migrants to Rwanda, surely it can also overrule the law and send the Parthenon marbles back to Greece.
Tony Meacock
Norwich
• Make 10 copies of the Parthenon marbles on 3D printers, put one each in London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast, then send the rest on loan to schools and the originals back with apologies, like actual adults.
Wendy Bradley
Sheffield
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