Museum Care of Cultural Property in Question

The Guardian of the UK recently posted an article by Jason Benetto on how English Museums are taking care of the material culture held in their care. Unfortunately the news Benetto uncovered was not encouraging.

Benetto states "Details released under the Freedom of Information Act by the National Gallery, the Tate and the V&A, reveal that dozens of works have been dented, scratched, dropped and vandalized over the past five years. The culprits are not only malicious or clumsy visitors, but also partygoers, staff and removal men. The cost of accidents and vandalism is unknown because the galleries and museum declined, in most cases, to put a value on damage or repairs."

Not to disparage the museum trade, but I always ran under the assumption that great care was given to the collections. Although as Benetto points out, it is not necessarily the staff that is causing the damage. Given the state of the economy today, I would think it would be difficult for the museums to pull back fund raisers and availability to benefactors due to some damage issues. In any event, it is a shame, but I would think the repairs also keep the conservation laboratories busy as well. To read the Guardian article click HERE.