Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York gets to show Cycladic treasures
Under an unusual deal, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York will display 161 pieces of Cycladic art donated by businessman Leonard Stern – which will be for at least 10 years – but agrees they are owned by the Greek state.
The collection, which was put together over some 40 years by Stern, who won’t say how it acquired the collection of mostly marble figures and vessels created thousands of years ago in the Cyclades group of islands in the Aegean Sea.
As part of the arrangement, 15 of the most esteemed items accumulated will first be exhibited in early November at the Museum of Cycladic Art in Athens and then sent back to the Met for a decade, beginning in early 2024, The New York Times said.
That could be extended even longer which means they could be kept outside Greece even though belonging to the state under a deal to win the backing of the state which has been trying to win back stolen treasures after failing for generations to move the British Museum to return the Parthenon Marbles.
Stern donated his collection to the Hellenic Ancient Culture Institute, a nonprofit organization in Delaware that will safeguard the antiquities and make them available for display, the report said.
The institute is governed by a board whose chairman and a majority of members are appointed by the Cycladic museum, a private institution founded in 1986 to house the collection of Nikolaos and Aikaterini (Dolly) Goulandris, supervised by the Greek Culture Ministry.
“This agreement builds on decades of a fruitful partnership between the Greek government and the Met, and we are delighted to be able to play a role in an arrangement that will thrill and educate visitors and scholars now and for generations to come,” the museum’s Director Max Hollein said.
Most have already been transported to the museum, featuring valuable works considered by some art experts to be the pinnacle of western artists and inspiring Modigliani and Picasso who called them “magical objects,” the report noted.
Stern, Chairman and CEO of the privately owned Hartz Mountain Industries, based in New York, said that became fascinated by Cycladic art as a youth when he saw examples at the Met, admiring what he called “the power, the simplicity” of the “magnificent stone carvings.”
THE STERN ROOM
He began his collection in 1981, gradually assembling a group of artifacts that were kept at his townhouse on Fifth Avenue, displayed in a room that was used as a library office, The Times noted.
The collection includes items from the Late Neolithic period to the end of the Early Bronze Age that range in size from diminutive figurines to an over four-foot-long reclining female figure, referred to by the Met as “among the great works of Cycladic art.”
Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni earlier said the government had no evidence the objects were stolen without explaining why it would then take ownership if they legally belonged to Stern.
Stern said he understood it would be awkward to donate the collection to the Met and said that, “None of the major museums want to affront the honor of countries by accepting their patrimony unless they have the blessing of these countries.”
The agreement came together when the Greek Parliament controlled by the ruling New Democracy, over some objections, approved it in a pact that the Times said included the language: that “Greek Patrimony Law provides that the Greek State is the sole owner of the Collection,” while allowing for the possession of the collection by the Hellenic Ancient Culture Institute.
The complete collection will be on view exclusively at the Met for 10 years and over the next 15 years will gradually go to Greece for display at the Cycladic museum and other museums but Greek museums will loan the Met other Cycladic works.
“We are all very proud to have participated in this effort of creating new ways of collaboration between museums” and to play a role in the “consensual return of antiquities,” wrote Cycladic Museum’s President and CEO Kassandra Marinopoulou.
In 2049 the Greek state may agree to loan the collection to the Met again for another period of up to 25 years, which means it would stay in New York until 2074 but belong to Greece.
If an agreement can’t be reached the part of the collection that is still at the Met will revert to the Hellenic Ancient Culture Institute and be sent to Greece for display there.
Stern is also endowing an archive room in the Greek and Roman Department’s Onassis Library for Hellenic and Roman Art, and a position to facilitate the care of the archives and scholarly visits, both to be named after him.
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons License: CC-BY-SA Copyright: Fcb981
25/04 22:00
Greek FM talks with Kuwaiti counterpart on bilateral relations, regional cooperation
25/04 14:49
Prices of products in Easter Basket the same or lower in Greece than in 2023
25/04 13:57
25/04 12:44
Greece and China to ink cooperation protocols in the fisheries sector
25/04 09:53
Extended shop opening hours for Easter in Greece start on Thursday
25/04 02:19
Athens Airport voted as the best in marketing strategy at European awards in Denmark
25/04 02:10
President of Hellenic Republic visits La Chascona Museum in visit to Chile
24/04 21:31
Thirty-one Greek political parties to take part in European Parliament elections
24/04 21:25
Payment by bank cards now accepted on Athens Airport Express bus lines
24/04 14:12
Herculaneum papyri unveil more than location of Plato's tomb in Athens
23/04 23:52
Greece’s New Ambassador to the United States visits Queens in New York
23/04 21:49
Traffic regulations in Athens due to the Olympic Torch Relay on Thursday-Friday
23/04 20:59
President of Hellenic Republic wraps up visit to Uruguay at parliament
23/04 15:44
Greek government will pass legislation halving commission paid for POS transactions
23/04 15:03
Precise location of Plato's burial site unveiled by ancient papyrus
22/04 22:33
'Nature Positive' peport highlights new collaborative era in travel & tourism
22/04 21:25
22/04 20:37
Greek and Turkish delegations discuss Confidence Building Measures for 2024
22/04 18:29
Over 114,000 Greek Diaspora citizens register to vote by post in the European elections
22/04 13:40
19/04 01:29
Athens State Orchestra presents 'St. Matthew's Passion' by Bach on April 30th
18/04 21:49
Greek Climate Change Minister signs memorandum for Attica fire protection zones
18/04 20:32
'Easter Basket' and 'Godparents basket' to be put into effect next week in Greece
18/04 20:17
18/04 17:40
17/04 21:06
Thessaloniki Port: Performance growth for 2023 with record container throughput
17/04 20:57
Traffic regulations imposed in Athens for the 41st Peace Marathon on Sunday
17/04 20:52
17/04 18:15
Greek Foreign Minister addresses the 9th Our Ocean Conference in Athens
17/04 17:12
16/04 21:02
NHM hosts the Trial of Pericles at the Harris Theater in Chicago on April 17
16/04 20:17
Greece will invest $830 million to protect marine biodiversity
16/04 01:46
New York Greek Independence Parade honors 1821 and solemn Cyprus Anniversary
16/04 01:35
Olympic Games Paris 2024: Olympic Flame to be lit at Ancient Olympia in Greece
16/04 00:29
European Committee of Regions and UN release study on Rural Tourism
15/04 20:41
15/04 19:58
Minister: Greece is transforming into a hub for exporting quality agri-food products
15/04 18:51
Greek Environment Minister meets Chinese Deputy Minister of Natural Resources
13/04 00:13
UN Tourism and Croatia to launch Research Centre for Sustainable Tourism
12/04 00:03
2024 marks a critical year in the enduring strength of Greek-German relations
12/04 00:00
11/04 22:07
Ambassador: US committed to upgrade of Greek military and support NATO's SE flank
11/04 19:40
Hellenic Pride on display at rainy Chicago Greek Independence Day Parade
11/04 02:06
Delphi Economic Forum IX: Energy collaboration a 'key' in Greek-Bulgarian relations
11/04 01:58
UN Tourism launches investment guidelines for Albania sector
10/04 19:01
Greek FinMin: New package of economic measures in 2025 to lower taxes, raise pensions
10/04 18:25
Greek city of Nafplion hosts Mediterranean Yacht Show for ninth year running
09/04 23:57
Greek PM on Tilos: Innovative projects for a cyclical economy are of key significance
09/04 23:55
UN Tourism members promote agenda for Europe as region leads global recovery
09/04 23:46
HFS presents 1968, Rousing Docudrama about Greece’s First European Cup April 21
09/04 22:48
Stolen 7th-century BC oenochoe returned to Greece by Hanover museum, municipality
09/04 22:42
Greek civil servants confederation ADEDY to strike on May 21
09/04 21:55
Greek Migration Minister meets Senior US Coordinator for Lawful Migration
08/04 23:48
08/04 23:41
Elliniko-Argyroupoli Mayor marches in Greek Independence Philadelphia Parade
08/04 21:53
Project Voria casino complex in Maroussi moving ahead after environmental report
08/04 21:36
Minister: Up to 120 delegations to take part in 9th Our Ocean Conference in Athens
08/04 19:22
Direct flight from Shanghai to Athens offers access to key tourism market for Greece
08/04 18:31
AI conference to attract distinguished speakers to Thessaloniki on April 25-27
04/04 23:28
City of San Jose marks March 25 with 16th Annual Greek Flag Raising Event
04/04 22:16
Urban plans published for seven townships in Thessaloniki and Attica of Greece
04/04 17:24
FinMin: The new EU economic and fiscal framework is good for Greece
04/04 15:30
Greek PM meets with the chiefs of the international pharmaceutical manufacturers
04/04 00:15
Deputy Minister for Macedonia-Thrace meets US Embassy Deputy Mission Chief
03/04 20:12
Syracuse AHEPA Chapter 37 marks March 25th Greek Independence Day
03/04 18:10
Greece's Delphi Economic Forum on April 10-13 to focus on 'The Great Transition'
03/04 16:42
Minister: Industrial production has returned to the pre-crisis levels in Greece
02/04 18:06
30/03 23:21
Eleni Gatzoyiannis scholarship offered to Greek students at Boston University
29/03 16:44
3rd edition of 'This is Athens - City Festival' with 250+ events from May 1 until June 2
29/03 15:53
Athens Metro station Aghia Varvara to stay closed on Saturday and Sunday
29/03 13:55
Greek Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy concludes visit to Montenegro
29/03 12:00
29/03 11:51
28/03 18:41
Attica Region to channel 640 bln euros to services of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups
28/03 17:32
Greece to auction three-month T-bills on April 3, 2024 in a book entry form
28/03 15:46
Greece's Meteora Pyli Geopark added to UNESCO Global Geoparks network
28/03 14:44
IPTO announces framework agreement tender for undersea power cables in Greece
28/03 11:49
IOBE: Construction sector in Greece records robust growth and good prospects
26/03 23:51
St. Thomas Hellenic School honors 1821 and the Feast of the Annunciation in NJ
26/03 21:59
PM at Economic Club of Canada: Greece is an attractive investment destination
26/03 17:56
Greek State budget primary balance reaches a surplus of 3,378 million euros
26/03 11:45
Ancient Messene to get upgraded visitors' facilities after approval by Council
23/03 17:43
New requirements for 'Golden Visa' program to kick in on March 31
23/03 16:49
Athenians continue to head out of the Greek Capital for March 25 long weekend
23/03 16:47
Greek Parliament lights to be turned off for Earth Hour 8:30-9:30 pm
22/03 21:54
US President on Greek Independence Day: Alliance with Greece stronger than ever
22/03 19:51
High diplomacy and geopolitics at Delphi Economic Forum IX in Greece
22/03 19:32
Tax authorities enable payments with foreign bank cards in Greece
22/03 14:19
22/03 00:24
Greece ranks first on list of countries with fastest business environment progress
22/03 00:02
Hellenic Police acquires first electric VAN-type highway patrol vehicle
21/03 22:41
21/03 15:33
Unseen Museum presents "The stele of the twin babies" exhibition in Athens
20/03 22:48
Health Minister: 95% of Greek hospitals to perform afternoon surgeries
20/03 21:52
Greek Deputy Minister of Justice meets delegation from US Embassy in Athens
20/03 21:44
Greek Interior Minister to visit United States and Canada on postal vote
20/03 20:55
Philadelphia Icarians mark 85th Anniversary and organize Apokriatiko Dance
20/03 18:01
Development Minister: We continue the battle against high prices in Greece
19/03 22:28
President of the Hellenic Republic meets her Ethiopian counterpart in Athens
Greek FM talks with Kuwaiti counterpart on bilateral relations, regional cooperation
Extended shop opening hours for Easter in Greece start on Thursday
Athens Airport voted as the best in marketing strategy at European awards in Denmark
Herculaneum papyri unveil more than location of Plato's tomb in Athens
Greece and China to ink cooperation protocols in the fisheries sector
Prices of products in Easter Basket the same or lower in Greece than in 2023
Thirty-one Greek political parties to take part in European Parliament elections
Payment by bank cards now accepted on Athens Airport Express bus lines
President of Hellenic Republic visits La Chascona Museum in visit to Chile
Traffic regulations in Athens due to the Olympic Torch Relay on Thursday-Friday
Precise location of Plato's burial site unveiled by ancient papyrus
Prescription cannabis for medicinal use legally available in Greece for the first time
Greek Environment Minister meets Chinese Deputy Minister of Natural Resources
3-year stay and work permits approved for 30,000 undocumented migrants in Greece
Greek Deputy Transport Minister flies in first test seaplane flight from Lavrio port
Over 114,000 Greek Diaspora citizens register to vote by post in the European elections
Flights to and from Heraklion airport in Crete resume on Saturday
Greek supermarkets record rise in value and decline in volume of FMCG sales
Minister: Greece to support Bulgaria and Romania in joining the Schengen zone
Bard Gemini Pro, Google's largest AI model, now available in Greece
Greece’s New Ambassador to the United States visits Queens in New York
President of Hellenic Republic wraps up visit to Uruguay at parliament