Museum Ethics

Museum Ethics

Drew Place
Diagnostic Essay

Museum Ethics
Museums should feel inclined to return illegally acquired relics and artwork to whom they belong.   Often, items are knowingly obtained immorally, many museums in this case just turn their heads; and ask no questions and give no answers. For one to say that museums are not in the wrong in such situations is just absurd. “By continuously exhibiting illegally obtained art, museums show that they are motivated by profit, rather than high-minded morals…” (2). Museums should look towards straying from immorality, and look towards adding pieces with sufficient background information. By requiring the specific history of anything that comes in, museums can ultimately avoid feuds, lawsuits, and negative attention that stems when rightful owners are snubbed.
Some argue that museums can preserve items better, especially for the sake of later generations enjoying ancient works. This is because the materials and technology that they have is not often available to outsiders and private collectors. This lone reason is not enough to convince me that the rightful owners of these pieces should be slighted. Those who wish to have these highly touted pieces will undoubtedly take care of them, as they have a deeper meaning than one could imagine.
Philippe de Montebello of the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art hopefully can sway others by leading by example. In early 2006, he acknowledged that two prized pieces were indeed stolen from Italy. He agreed to send the items back in exchange for loans of other items from Italy. Montebello remarked, “The world is changing, and you have to play by the rules. It now appears that the [art] came to us in a completely improper way, through machinations, lies and clandestine night-digging. As representative of an honorable institution, I have to say ‘no, this is not right’ ” (3). This agreement can only help set the tone and force other museums to come forward and do the right thing....