While the gallery has not removed any pictures, Mr Finaldi said any links to those who may have profited from slavery had been signposted for the visitor's knowledge.Įlgin Marbles: The Elgin Marbles are a collection of classical Greek marble sculptures, inscriptions and architectural members that were mostly created by Phidias and his assistants. In response, the Museum's Association asked the government to remain at 'arm's-length' from their operations. 'As publicly funded bodies you should not be taking actions motivated by activism or politics,' he wrote. Some directors of national museums have recently worried about increasing attempts from the Government to control their activities.Ĭulture Secretary Oliver Dowden wrote to the directors in late September warning them not to remove 'statues or similar objects' even if they have been linked to slavery. Mr Finaldi added that while the London gallery had not removed any paintings associated with the slave trade, they had been clearly labelled for visitors. He also acknowledged the 'gallery's strategy was to draw in a younger audience to whom these issues mattered a great deal'. Gabriele Finaldi (pictured) told his board of trustees that publicly-funded museums had previously 'refrained from making political statements' and instead sought to 'respond to events through its activities'
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