The british museum has lent one of the elgin marbles to the hermitage museum in russia the first time one of the disputed greek relics has gone on loan.
British museum lends elgin marbles.
By roslyn sulcas december 5 2014 7 55 am december 5 2014 7 55 am.
London one of the so called elgin marbles the much disputed british museum collection of parthenon sculptures and artifacts acquired by lord elgin in athens in the early 19th century has been sent out of.
A headless depiction of the river god ilissos has been sent to russia to go on display in st petersburg s state hermitage.
When the marbles were shipped to england they were an instant success among many who admired the sculptures and supported their arrival but both the sculptures and elgin also received criticism from detractors.
Lord elgin began negotiations for the sale of the collection to the british museum in 1811 but negotiations failed despite the support of british artists after the government.
The objects were removed from the parthenon at athens and from other ancient buildings and shipped to england by arrangement of thomas bruce 7th lord elgin who was british.
As the united kingdom continues to enforce sanctions on russia over its actions in ukraine the british museum has announced it is lending one of the controversial elgin marbles to a st.