The British Museum as we know it is located off of Great Russell Street, not, as I initially thought, in Trafalgar Square- as is the National Gallery. It wasn’t until very recently that I knew the difference. (Stay tuned for a blog on the latter.) The original museum first opened its doors in 1759. The building that we now know as the British Museum was built during the reign of George IV in the 1850′s in the style of Regency which is based on Greek, rather than Roman, architecture. (Hibbert)

The British Museum began from the “gift” from Sir Hans Sloane of 71,000 various objects of history, geography, and art to the government on one condition: The government would receive the artifacts if Sloane’s heirs would receive 20,000 pounds together. The separate building which houses the British Library was added to the same organization in 1973. *see footnote 1

The Museum is a focused on geography and history as it has galleries that highlight each of the major continents and its rich art and culture. Some artifacts that the museum boasts of, and are major tourist draws, are the sculptures of the Parthenon, known as the Elgin Marbles (Cook), which were added to the collection in 1816, and the Rosetta Stone which was first displayed in 1802. While this both have huge cultural significance and they can be seen and appreciated by a wide audience because of their location in the British Museum, it is not like they are part of the British history or culture. The Rosetta stone, for example, was “discovered” by Napoleon’s army in 1799 and then won by the British in 1802 with the Treaty of Alexandria. (*see footnote #4)  The people of Egypt have asked for the stone back, but they have not succeeded. Who does it belong to? Does the British have claim to it as they have the best experts on preservation? Or should it return to the land of its heritage?

I especially like this picture as it represents the tourism that it has attracted.  Who knows how many people actually look at the engravings (which cannot seen in this photo), compared to those who simply go and see it because it is so monumental and famous.  While I recognize what it has done for the translation and understanding of language, I am also guilty for being taken away by its fame.

On another note- I am particularly drawn to the more temporary exhibits. The first exhibition that I saw and enjoyed was that on the Enlightenment and its progression. This depicted the relative progression from the study of botany, to the fascination with other cultures and their religious beliefs. It is strange to think that there was a time that wasn’t so interested in the traditional view of history as we see it. For example, museums are a relatively modern thing. People would live through tradition and evolution instead of research and comparison.

I also liked the temporary exhibit entitled “From the Cradle to the Grave by Pharmacopoeia” which juxtaposed a series of still pictures from people’s progression through life with a huge table filled with all of the drugs that the average Brit takes in their lifetime- 14,000.

-http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/aoa/c/cradle_to_grave.aspx

My favorite image from the Museum is from the exhibit: “The American Scene: Prints from Hopper to Pollock.

I think this work captures the American political scene perfectly.

Peace and love-

Sources:

1. http://www.britishmuseum.org/the_museum/history_and_the_building/general_history.aspx

2. The Story of England, Christopher Hibbert, Phaidon Press Limited, 1992, pg. 152.

3. The Elgin Marbles; The British Museum, BF Cook.

4. http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/aes/t/the_rosetta_stone.aspx

5. http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/world_cultures/europe/enlightenment_europe.asp

6. http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/aoa/c/cradle_to_grave.aspx

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