Office D displays an unclothed female figure: Minister of Culture, Wolfram Weimer, Spotlights "Venus Medici" Episode
A 1700s bronze replica of the Venus de' Medici, a sculpture symbolizing Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, has become the center of controversy after its removal from the Federal Office for Central Services and Unresolved Property Questions in Berlin, Germany. The statue, previously exhibited in the office's foyer, was relocated to the Grassi Museum in Leipzig due to a sexist perception, as alleged by an Equal Opportunities Officer who believed it may violate the Federal Equal Opportunities Act.
In the summer of 2024, the statue was moved without the consent of the administrative body occupying the building. Currently, the bronze Venus de' Medici replica resides at the Grassi Museum, an esteemed cultural institution renowned for its ethnological and world culture exhibitions. The museum's acquisition of the statue sparked media attention, heightening the controversy surrounding its removal.
The Grassi Museum in Leipzig, apart from housing the disputed statue, holds the impressive Benin Bronzes collection, adding to broader discussions on museum restitution and cultural heritage. As the debate persists, it is crucial to address concerns and reach a resolution regarding the bronze Venus de' Medici replica's appropriate display. The exact future of the statue remains to be seen.
The acquisition of the Venus de' Medici replica by the Grassi Museum in 2024 has further fueled debates about its controversial removal, intertwining the discussion with broader topics of museum restitution and cultural heritage. Recent weeks have seen a surge in pop-culture and entertainment news coverage of the disputed statue, due in part to its history and its new home in the museum, known for its ethnological and world culture exhibitions, including the Benin Bronzes collection.
