A review by janiswong
The Brutish Museums: The Benin Bronzes, Colonial Violence and Cultural Restitution by Dan Hicks

dark informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

As the border is to the nation state so the museum is to empire.

This quote guides the author's perspective, detailing a truly brutal historical account of the theft we see in “world culture” museums. Describing rich histories that are even darker than the Parthenon Marble, the author challenges the likes of brass and bronze artworks in Eurocentric museums. The writing is critical and does not shy away from the brutality faced by Africa's nations and people. The book is quite academic in its style of writing but still easy to read. A well-researched book and a must for those working in museums or visitors, reminding us that the placement of these pieces in museums is not a fragment of the past, but continues long legacies suffering.