num_pages: 400
description: A tragic story of the British empire run amok and the plunder of great works of artA Prospect Best Book of 2021A fascinating and timely book. William BoydGrippinga must read. FTCompellinghumane reasonable and ultimately optimistic. Evening Standard[A] valuable guide to a complex narrative. The TimesIn 1897 Britain sent a punitive expedition to the Kingdom of Benin in what is today Nigeria in retaliation for the killing of seven British officials and traders. British soldiers and sailors captured Benin exiled its king and annexed the territory. They also made off with some of Africas greatest works of art.The Benin Bronzes are now amongst the most admired and valuable artworks in the world. But seeing them in the British Museum today is in the words of one Benin City artist like visiting relatives behind bars. In a time of huge controversy about the legacy of empire racial justice and the future of museums what does the future hold for the Bronzes?
language: English
title: Loot: Britain and the Benin Bronzes
publisher: Oneworld Publications