27/02/2009 / CHINA - FRANCE
Here’s my view: if the collector is a philanthropist who merely wishes to make a donation, then we could perhaps ask him to return the bronzes. But obviously if he’s in need of money he’ll sell them whatever happens. Some Chinese dream of having the bronzes returned for free. It’s ridiculous.
I visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art a few years ago, where I saw artworks coming from the four corners of the world. I noticed that the works were protected and well preserved, using very expensive devices. So I wondered what might have happened if those statues had stayed in China. We shouldn’t forget that a lot of precious works of art were destroyed during the years of folly [that is, the Cultural Revolution].”
Chinese Web fuming over auctioned bronzes
Chinese bloggers have been locked in a bitter dispute over the sale of two bronze relics stolen a century ago by French soldiers. The bronzes fetched €15.7 million each at this week's Yves Saint Laurent auction in Paris. While some demand their immediate return, others recognise relics were better preserved in France.
Chinese authorities had warned Christie’s against auctioning the rat and rabbit heads that were carried away by French soldiers following the plunder of Beijing’s Summer Palace in 1860. But the auction house went ahead and the two bronzes were sold for 15.7 million euros each. As with the threats of a boycott of the Beijing Olympics, or when US President Nicolas Sarkozy announced he would meet with the Dalai Lama, the auction ignited furious protests and a fair share of French-bashing. Yet, not all Chinese Web users point an accusing finger at France. Some acknowledge that if the relics had remained in China they would probably have vanished at the time of the Cultural Revolution.
This story was reported by Huang, one of our Observers in China.
Contributors
A sample of the cartoons circulating on Chinese websites
"I want to go home." Posted by: Xinhua.
“Hey, outlaws, go put this outfit on” [the uniform in question is the one worn by French soldiers when they crushed the Boxer Uprising in 1899 and 1901. Published on a news website from Shanxi province.
"Several precious artworks were destroyed during the years of folly"
Here’s my view: if the collector is a philanthropist who merely wishes to make a donation, then we could perhaps ask him to return the bronzes. But obviously if he’s in need of money he’ll sell them whatever happens. Some Chinese dream of having the bronzes returned for free. It’s ridiculous.I visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art a few years ago, where I saw artworks coming from the four corners of the world. I noticed that the works were protected and well preserved, using very expensive devices. So I wondered what might have happened if those statues had stayed in China. We shouldn’t forget that a lot of precious works of art were destroyed during the years of folly [that is, the Cultural Revolution].”
Published by Meng Reai on Feb. 25, 2009 on this forum.
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Comments
The Rat and Rabbit long journey ☺
Submitted by VincentW (not verified) on Fri, 13/03/2009 - 15:20.I am french, and I get most of your point of view.
After all, look at the major artworks in France, many are from foreign countries, and that has many reasons (trade, conquests, ...) and mainly, this is because France, as well as almost every country in the World, is a "carrefour des cultures" (melting-pot - but I prefer the french term).
The fact that the Cultural Revolution in China would result in having these artworks probably torn apart doesn't mean that much to me, though I'm really sensitive to the topic of art conservation.
The buyer of these artworks finally refused to pay for those, declaring that he wanted to "return them to where they belong".
I instantly thought "this man is embarrassing his own country"; and afterwards, he ended not being supported by the Embassy of China.
(the bronzes are not done making the buzz)
In my mind, if you want an artwork representing the culture of your country "back home", you have to play it fair, otherwise, that is not worth it.
Thus, there are cases where governments decide to restitute, buy or exchange artworks, for the sake of Culture and Arts.
I hope these bronzes will end being accessible to the public.
PS : By the way, our atlantist President isn't the President of the US ☺
Unregistered user
China whose well known for
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Wed, 11/03/2009 - 12:42.China whose well known for having gang of thieves robbing french castles since they have poor protection - actually, not only french but european - ask for a piece of art that the so called communist government would have never looked after.
Remember, history and memory is not something the chinese government likes... since memory is a way to question our current choices. otherwise why would the gvt destroy every single ancient house?
france is no better than other country when it comes to its past and present. Yes we robbed, yes we went to war but as the english, as the american, as the german and many other nation did yesterday and today. instead of asking back, try to wonder if such a piece of art would have survived during the cultural revolution.
during the french revolution many things were destroyed OR stolen by french and english OR bought, mostly by english actually.
did we asked for the furniture back?
no.
Did we complain? no.
our history is not that different. we have been invaded too, we have had violence too and accepted the consequences.
if it has to come back to china, let s do it the legal way (auction) or let this piece of art be in a museum.
actually, another question. would china react like that if it were english, german or american ppl - china's biggest financial and economic partner - who had in their possession the two rabbits?
i think we all know the answer.
Unregistered user
Christie's Auction of ''Stolen'' Treasures
Submitted by Nemo Omen (not verified) on Mon, 02/03/2009 - 18:25.Our forebears invaded China, destroyed the Chinese Imperial Summer Palace and stole the bronze Rat and Rabbit heads from the Chinese people. Therefore, we (this generation) must put right the wrongs of our past and return these national/cultural artifacts to the Chinese people, unconditionally and with an apology.
Unregistered user
I think its good that art
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Sat, 28/02/2009 - 01:12.I think its good that art has been preserved well in Paris. Otherwise those communist thugs will use it for thier personal interest.
Good job.
Unregistered user
It's ours
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Mon, 02/03/2009 - 06:08.It's our properties and we ought to do whatever we wish. Mind your own bee wax.
Unregistered user
Les francais sont des
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Sat, 28/02/2009 - 05:37.Les francais sont des hypocrites, tricheurs, voleurs.
[effacé]
Unregistered user