Benin Movement

Hundreds of bronze plaques were taken from Benin by the British army during an event known as the “Punitive Expedition” of 1897. The removal was punishment inflicted on the Edo people of Benin for what colonial authorities believed to be an ambush of a British official. 

Today, there is a movement to return the looted art to Benin. Some governments, collectors, and museums in Europe and the Americas do not want to return them. Others have already decided to return them to Nigeria.

Here are some articles and statements with different positions (You may also search for more on the Internet):

https://smart.smb.museum/media/news/69069/Press_Statement__Benin_Dialogue_Group_2019.pdf

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2018/nov/25/benin-bronzes-why-western-museums-should-keep-treasures

https://www.npr.org/2021/04/30/992496264/germany-will-repatriate-benin-bronzes-plundered-from-africa-in-the-19th-century

https://www.britishmuseum.org/about-us/british-museum-story/contested-objects-collection/benin-bronzes

The Benin Bronzes, Explained: Why a Group of Plundered Artworks Continues to Generate Controversy

we will each present one of the perspectives offered by those for and against the return (or repatriation) of the Benin plaques. And we will furthermore place this perspective within the art historical context we have studied so far in this class.

Therefore, you will first explain one of the perspectives articulated in the video and reading(s) shared here THEN compare this to how works of art studied in the class have functioned, been created, been destroyed, been collected, been used in political disputes, etc. 

Instructions

• Read the articles provided here.
• Select a perspective to describe and explain.
• Find where the course has discussed something related.
• Compose your discussion post using the terms and concepts for “concepts and terms” document
• PROMPT: (selected perspective) A perspective based on cultural loss