At the Museum of Fine Arts, a chance for justice
For years, the institution was tangled in a complicated relationship with a private collector that made it difficult to do the right thing by a set of plundered masterworks from West Africa.
But now that the relationship is unraveling, the museum can — and should — pursue a measure of justice.
The story begins in 2012, when banking heir and filmmaker Robert Owen Lehman pledged 34 pieces to the MFA, with plans to formally enter them into the museum's collection on a staggered timetable.
Most of the objects were crafted centuries ago in the Benin Kingdom, in what is now southern Nigeria.
Collectively known as Benin Bronzes, the sculptural heads, plaques, and pendants are a wonder to behold.
Advertisement
But a colonial shadow has long hung over them.
In 1897, after a group of British officials were killed in a trade dispute, Britain launched a so-called punitive expedition against the Benin Kingdom (not to be confused with the modern-day nation of Benin, which borders Nigeria).
Get The Gavel
A weekly SCOTUS explainer newsletter by columnist Kimberly Atkins Stohr.
Enter Email
Sign Up
The raiders looted thousands of objects from the royal palace. And the works were eventually auctioned off in London, landing in museums and private collections all over the world.
In recent years, there has been a push for repatriation.
The Smithsonian
Advertisement
The MFA seemed inclined to some kind of restitution of its own. But it was in a tricky position.
It owned five of the bronzes outright — two commemorative heads, a pendant showing an oba (or king) and two dignitaries, a relief plaque showing two officials with raised swords, and a relief plaque showing a war chief with two attendants. But the balance were still on loan from Lehman.
If the museum had decided to transfer ownership of some or all of its five objects to Nigeria, it risked rupturing its relationship with Lehman; there was a chance the collector would simply take back the 27 bronzes he still owned and remove them from public view.
Better to aim, then, for some sort of global resolution for all the pieces.
Last week, any hope for such a resolution seemed to come to an end. The MFA
It's unclear what, exactly, happened.
And it's a shame that some kind of agreement couldn't be reached: The moral case for transferring ownership of the Benin Kingdom's looted patrimony back to Nigeria is clear.
There was potential for a creative resolution.
The parties could have struck a deal that kept some or all of the bronzes on display in Boston; the plundered works now on display around the world have become cultural ambassadors for Nigeria. And perhaps the MFA could have loaned some objects to the African nation in return.
There is precedent for this kind of exchange.
In 2006, after decades of resistance, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York agreed to return a celebrated vase known as the Euphronios Krater to Italy in exchange for long-term loans of other antiquities.
Advertisement
A broad deal may be beyond reach at this point.
But now that the museum has some distance from Lehman, it has an opportunity — and an obligation — to do what's right with the five pieces it owns outright.
The MFA seems to be moving in the correct direction. Two of the museum's five pieces — one of the commemorative heads and the plaque showing two officials with raised swords — can be firmly traced back to the looting of 1897. And Victoria Reed, the institution's senior curator for provenance, told the Editorial Board that pieces like that would be 'appropriate candidates for restitution.'
What that restitution looks like should ultimately be up to the Benin Kingdom, which still exists today as a ceremonial entity within the modern nation of Nigeria.
But hopefully, any deal will involve continued display in Boston.
The provenance of the museum's other three objects is murkier. But the MFA should continue learning what it can and, if appropriate, transfer ownership back to Nigeria.
Justice, in this case, has been delayed for too long. Let it not be delayed much longer.
Editorials represent the views of the Boston Globe Editorial Board. Follow us
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Yahoo
John D.H. Harris John D.H. Harris passed away May 4, 2025 at
Jun. 6—John D.H. Harris John D.H. Harris passed away May 4, 2025 at a local hospital. He was in poor health for some months prior. Survivors are wife of 41 years, Mary Harris, son David Minall (Tracey), daughter Pam Gilsenan, grandchildren Leanne Minall (Tom), Ross Minall, Liam Gilsenan, Kerry Gilsenan. Katharine Ofcarzik (Rick). John was born April 1933 in Surrey, England. He received a Technical degree in England and rose to chief engineer at Decca Radar in London with a specialty in telecommunications. He emigrated to the U.S. in 1968 and began working in various technical fields, leading to a long career in General Instrument. He was remarkable for his contributions to many branches of creative engineering: if you ever used high definition television, a satellite dish, an IBM machine, a programmable thermostat, or driven a GM or Ford card with computerized dashboard, you have met John Harris. After retiring from GI, he worked for a local firm producing medical research equipment, including Laser Tweezers. In his own LLC company, he completed diverse projects for Los Alamos, Sandia, as well as for private individuals and companies. He was coding on his computer well up until poor health overtook him. At home, he also crafted model airplanes and grew tomatoes. Friends and acquaintances recall John as a warm and generous man, with a British wit and sense of humor that never quit. He was dedicated to high technology that has improved daily life for mankind. And no job was too small for him to lend a hand. John loved the East Mountains. It reminded him of England and Wales. He will remain with us in the East Mountains where he wished to stay. A Celebration of Life service is planned and will be announced in the near future.
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Yahoo
King Charles, Prince Harry at point of 'no turning back' as monarch refuses reconciliation: expert
As King Charles prepares to put on a united front with his family at this year's Trooping the Colour, the monarch and estranged son Prince Harry are nowhere near ending their rift. "There is no turning back," British royals expert Hilary Fordwich claimed to Fox News Digital. "King Charles remains tender towards his son but can't risk communication," she shared. "Prince William now has absolutely no interest in mending fences. Those close to the king say he [shouldn't] make peace with Harry in a way that would burden Prince William's future reign. The animosity is so deep that William has shut the door on Harry. Charles is not willing to go against his heir's wishes." King Charles, Prince Harry's Painful Feud 'Damaging' Monarch's Reign As Gutted Son Remains Furious: Expert "Everything comes down to trust and the lack of it," Fordwich added. Fordwich's comments came shortly after insiders told People magazine that the monarch, who is battling an undisclosed form of cancer, is hesitant to reconnect with his son. Many royal observers believe it's the monarch who should take the first step in igniting a royal reconciliation. Read On The Fox News App "The underlying issue is trust," royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith told the outlet. "The king and William don't trust Harry and Meghan with any kind of confidential conversation." Insiders told the outlet that the king, 76, isn't surrounded by palace aides urging him to reconcile with his son. Meanwhile, William is said to have "no interest" in extending an olive branch. "There is not a good angel in [the king's] ear to say, 'Be a good dad and make the first move,'" royal author Valentine Low told the outlet. Fox News Digital reached out to Buckingham Palace for comment. WATCH: PRINCE HARRY LOOKING TO RECONCILE WITH KING CHARLES, ROYAL FAMILY Fordwich claimed that Harry has crossed such a deep line in Charles's eyes that it's been difficult for the king to forgive his son. Sources close to Harry previously claimed to People magazine that Charles won't respond to his letters or phone calls. "It's Harry's criticisms of Queen Camilla [in his memoir, 'Spare'], as well as his broader attacks on the family and institution, which have seriously crossed a line for the king and those closest to him," Fordwich claimed. "The king is now so puzzled by Harry's constant revelations. It's now beyond sensitive to discuss, so he avoids all interaction regarding the subject. He is so kind but overwhelmed and has quite enough on his plate to deal with, without all this from his son." Harry's troubled relationship with his family and the U.K. establishment has played out in public for years – in books, interviews, TV programs and the courts. Harry and his wife, Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, stepped back as senior royals in 2020, citing the unbearable intrusions of the British press and a lack of support from the palace. That same year, they moved to California. Since the couple's royal exit, they have aired their grievances and made blistering allegations against the royal family. Harry's explosive 2023 memoir, "Spare," was stuffed with private details and embarrassing revelations. Click Here To Sign Up For The Entertainment Newsletter Harry's rift with his family burst into the open once more with a raw interview he gave to the BBC in May after losing a court case over his security. In a long and at times emotional conversation, Harry said he wanted reconciliation. He admitted that his father, who is battling an undisclosed form of cancer, won't speak to him. "Harry's ill-timed recent interview on the BBC highlighted the lack of trust between them publicly," royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told Fox News Digital. "He seemed to believe his father could and should solve the issue of security, which he insists he and his family should have." "The rift, sadly, seems likely to remain toxic as there is no mutual trust between them," said Fitzwilliams. "Hopefully, it will not worsen as the Sussexes could give further interviews or possibly write more about the feud, something that is invariably remunerative for them." Low told People magazine that despite Harry's call for peace on the BBC, his comments were seen as another blow to the royals. During the interview, Harry, who has met his father only once, briefly, since his diagnosis early last year, said, "I don't know how much longer my father has." "It wasn't meant to be an attack, but it would be seen as one," said Low. "It makes Charles reaching out even harder." Royal expert Ian Pelham Turner told Fox News Digital that the royals take great pride in protecting their public image. They've maintained the late Queen Elizabeth II's motto of keep calm and carry on. Like What You're Reading? Click Here For More Entertainment News "The royals play a positive role to the cameras," he explained. "[But] behind the scenes, they allegedly are constantly bickering with each other… King Charles has a past reputation for not making advances on difficult decisions." A source recently claimed to Us Weekly that William was "absolutely appalled" by Harry's comments to the BBC about their father's health. The insider claimed that the 42-year-old feels like Harry stooped "so low." Royal experts previously told Fox News Digital that William is fiercely protective of Charles. The source also told the outlet that it's unlikely that the feuding brothers will reunite while their father is still alive. "The funeral of Charles would be the first time that courtiers would imagine [them reuniting]," said the insider. "I can't imagine William would invite Harry to his coronation." Despite infrequent updates from the palace about his health, Charles has returned to a full slate of public duties. During his sit-down with the BBC, Harry held out little hope of another meeting with his father. "The only time I come back to the U.K. is, sadly, for funerals or court cases," he said. Fitzwilliams said that Charles must address his ongoing rift with Harry, 40, as it remains a dark cloud over his reign. "We are now less than a fortnight away from Trooping the Colour, which celebrates the monarch's birthday," he said. "King Charles can surely congratulate himself on negotiating a year where he has worked so hard and achieved a great deal despite battling cancer." "The one area that remains problematic is the rift with the Sussexes. He has only seen Prince Harry once after his diagnosis and then fleetingly." Back in 2024, Christopher Andersen, author of "The King," claimed to Fox News Digital that the king is still unable to forgive his son for casting Camilla as the villain in "Spare." "I think people have to realize that the one thing that Charles finds unforgivable is criticism of Camilla," said Andersen at the time. "There's no criticism of Camilla," Andersen claimed. "And unfortunately for Harry… Harry said some pretty devastating things about her. He made it clear that he felt she was… the villain in the piece. I think that still bothers the king, and I don't know that it will be easy for him to [forgive]. I don't think they'll ever forgive Harry for that." WATCH: PRINCE HARRY'S JABS AT QUEEN CAMILLA UNFORGIVABLE FOR KING CHARLES: EXPERT "[He's] on his own," Andersen added, referring to the Duke of Sussex. In televised interviews to promote the book, Harry accused his stepmother, 77, of leaking private conversations to the media to burnish her own reputation. He accused members of the royal family of getting "into bed with the devil" to gain favorable tabloid coverage, singling out Camilla's efforts to rehabilitate her image with the public after her longtime affair with his father. "That made her dangerous because of the connections that she was forging within the British press," Harry told CBS ahead of his book launch. "There was open willingness on both sides to trade information. And with a family built on hierarchy, and with her on the way to being queen consort, there was going to be people or bodies left in the street." The Duke and Duchess of Sussex reside in the wealthy coastal city of Montecito with their two young article source: King Charles, Prince Harry at point of 'no turning back' as monarch refuses reconciliation: expert
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Researchers delve into history of Utah's ‘buffalo soldiers,' create trail recalling their presence
For perhaps the first time, Utah historians have organized much of the history surrounding the Black soldiers who served in Utah in the post-Civil War era to make sure it isn't forgotten. 'We didn't have any idea what we were getting ourselves into, and it's just mountains of information we've been able to bring to light because of this,' said Ian Wright, director of the Utah Cultural Site Stewardship Program, which is overseeing the effort. The research started in 2023 and the historians involved have created the Buffalo Soldier Heritage Trail linking several sites of note involving those first Black soldiers, known at the time as buffalo soldiers. Public events are set for Friday and Saturday at three of the sites, with signage geared to the general public to eventually be placed at the locations to promote interest in the history. 'A lot of folks know about the buffalo soldiers, but they don't usually connect them to Utah,' Wright said. Around a quarter of all African-American soldiers who served in the western United States in the period of westward U.S. settlement following the Civil War, though, came through the state, he said. As part of the initial public presentation of project findings, three simultaneous talks are scheduled for Friday at the Fort Douglas Military Museum in Salt Lake City, the Price Prehistoric Museum in Price and the Uintah County Heritage Museum in Vernal. On Saturday, driving tours will be held through three areas of note in the history of buffalo soldiers in Utah, starting in Salt Lake City, Price and Vernal. Participants must register online and organizers will send additional event details to those signing up to take part. Wright said some of the buffalo soldier history has been preserved in places like Carbon and Uintah counties and Fort Douglas, where some of the soldiers were stationed. 'But for the large part, it's kind of been overlooked a little bit here in Utah. One of our goals is to connect back into that larger story and bring this history to life, to help to safeguard that,' he said. 'The information's out there; it had just never kind of been pulled together in a way where people could see.' Two regiments of buffalo soldiers, the 24th Infantry at Fort Douglas and the 9th Calvary at Fort Duchesne, served in Utah, part of the U.S. military contingent assigned to the American West to protect settlers moving to the area. Wright said their presence was most pronounced in Utah from around 1878 to 1901. Well over 1,000 buffalo soldiers served in Utah, he estimates, with varied roles in Ford Douglas, Fort Duchesne, Carter Military Road, Gate and Nine Mile canyons, Moab, Helper, Price and Vernal, the key stops on the Buffalo Soldier Heritage Trail. While their official role was to protect settlers from attacks by the Native American population, the buffalo soldiers faced other challenges, notably discrimination from within the military ranks and from the communities they served. 'Not only is it a military story, it's an American story, it's a Western story, it's an African American story. It's just got so many neat nuances,' Wright said. Wright and his team, which operates under the umbrella of the Utah State Historic Preservation Office, have been working with the Sema Hadithi African American Heritage and Cultural Foundation, based in West Valley City. Reps from the University of Utah's American West Center, the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management have also helped. Much of the history they've organized and unearthed is available online and in an audiobook.
