From the NYT today: When Ancient Artifacts Become Political Pawns
Zahi Hawass has been demanding the return of a lot of Egyptian artifacts lately, from Berlin, the Louvre, and the British Museum. Many critics have noted the nationalistic and political reasons for this behavior, linking it to a stagnant Egyptian government desperate to show the Egyptian people some kind of progress or victory. When an Egyptian was passed over or turned down for the position of head of UNESCO, it fell to Hawass to recover face for Mubarak’s government.
Getting back Nefertiti would help on that score. So might flexing some archaeological muscle, even with no realistic expectation the bust will be returned. Either way, art becomes a political football.
That’s what restitution often comes down to these days.
Nationalism by other means.
Politics by proxy.
