France proposes legislation for expediting the retrieval of pilfered art pieces, sparking debates about morality among museums, and more: Daily Links for July 31, 2025
Western Museums Navigate Ethical Dilemmas
The world of museums is grappling with complex ethical dilemmas, particularly surrounding restitution and universalism, as revealed by Gareth Harris, author of Towards the Ethical Art Museum. According to Harris, provenance—the issue of an object's origin—is the most significant challenge faced by many western museums.
In France, the government has introduced a bill aimed at accelerating the return of artworks looted during the colonial era to their countries of origin. The proposed law would make it easier to restitute cultural objects in France's national collection that were taken from states between 1815 and 1972. However, the legal principle of inalienability of public collections remains central, making unconditional returns exceptional and legally complex.
In the United Kingdom, restitution ethics are evolving, with some UK institutions adopting more nuanced and open approaches. For instance, ceremonies returning human remains and cultural objects have become common, indicating a shift towards collaborative stewardship rather than outright rejection. Nevertheless, prominent museums like the British Museum have ruled out permanent restitution under current leadership, citing legal, practical, and preservation concerns.
In the United States, museum ethics emphasize decentralized codes adapted by individual institutions, with provenance research and ethical consideration of restitution at the forefront. Discussions increasingly focus on reframing restitution from a loss perspective to one of mutual benefit and relationship-building with source communities.
Regarding universalism—the idea that Western museums serve as universal custodians of art and culture—the traditional defense of retaining collections for global access is increasingly questioned. Critics argue it perpetuates colonial power imbalances, while supporters caution about risks to objects and the educational role of museums. The emerging ethical perspective encourages museums to balance universal access with respect for source communities’ rights, fostering shared stewardship models and open dialogue rather than rigid universalist claims.
Gareth Harris argues that museum codes of ethics are often not fit for purpose and insufficient in isolation. He suggests that cultural institutions should develop ethics codes with advisory boards and non-governmental bodies. His new book, published next month, investigates these issues and offers recommendations for the future of museum ethics.
Elsewhere in the arts world, prominent artists and designers have shared their favourite beach photos with the FT, including Sara Blomqvist, Fiontán Moran, Carla Sozzani, Felicity Aylieff, and Erwin Wurm. Meanwhile, the arts scene in Somerset, UK, has flourished with the presence of galleries like Hauser & Wirth and CLOSE.
In other news, the Whitney Museum was recently shaken by an unfortunate incident, as an unidentified 34-year-old man died after jumping from the museum. Whitney director Scott Rothkopf informed staff of the event via email.
Lastly, the New York Times explores Istanbul's rich history and 21st-century creative scene through visits to five reopened museums, while the Guardian highlights Lady Pink's impact on New York's graffiti scene, challenging the dominance of macho men.
- The curator of a museum could be consulting Gareth Harris's book, Towards the Ethical Art Museum, to develop a more ethical and collaborative approach to restitution of artworks.
- A politician might be contemplating the legal complexities involved in enacting a bill for restitution of colonial-era looted artworks in their country's museums.
- Artist Sara Blomqvist, or any of the other artists featured in a news article, might advocate for cultural institutions to develop ethics codes with advisory boards and non-governmental bodies, as suggested by Gareth Harris.
- General news might report on a museum policy change, aiming to balance universal access with respect for source communities’ rights, fostering shared stewardship models and open dialogue, as recommended for the future of museum ethics.
