Loot
Britain and the Benin Bronzes
by Barnaby Phillips
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Pub Date 11 May 2021 | Archive Date 11 May 2021
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Description
A tragic story of the British empire run amok and the plunder of great works of art
A Prospect Best Book of 2021
‘A fascinating and timely book.’ William Boyd
‘Gripping…a must read.’ FT
‘Compelling…humane, reasonable, and ultimately optimistic.’ Evening Standard
‘[A] valuable guide to a complex narrative.’ The Times
In 1897, Britain sent a punitive expedition to the Kingdom of Benin, in what is today Nigeria, in retaliation for the killing of seven British officials and traders. British soldiers and sailors captured Benin, exiled its king and annexed the territory. They also made off with some of Africa’s greatest works of art.
The ‘Benin Bronzes’ are now amongst the most admired and valuable artworks in the world. But seeing them in the British Museum today is, in the words of one Benin City artist, like ‘visiting relatives behind bars’. In a time of huge controversy about the legacy of empire, racial justice and the future of museums, what does the future hold for the Bronzes?
A Prospect Best Book of 2021
‘A fascinating and timely book.’ William Boyd
‘Gripping…a must read.’ FT
‘Compelling…humane, reasonable, and ultimately optimistic.’ Evening Standard
‘[A] valuable guide to a complex narrative.’ The Times
In 1897, Britain sent a punitive expedition to the Kingdom of Benin, in what is today Nigeria, in retaliation for the killing of seven British officials and traders. British soldiers and sailors captured Benin, exiled its king and annexed the territory. They also made off with some of Africa’s greatest works of art.
The ‘Benin Bronzes’ are now amongst the most admired and valuable artworks in the world. But seeing them in the British Museum today is, in the words of one Benin City artist, like ‘visiting relatives behind bars’. In a time of huge controversy about the legacy of empire, racial justice and the future of museums, what does the future hold for the Bronzes?
Advance Praise
'A fascinating and timely book. A brilliant model of expertly marshalled historical research and compelling narrative.' - William Boyd, author of Any Human Heart and A Good Man in Africa
'A fascinating and timely book. A brilliant model of expertly marshalled historical research and compelling narrative.' - William Boyd, author of Any Human Heart and A Good Man in Africa
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781786079350 |
| PRICE | US$27.95 (USD) |
| PAGES | 400 |
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