- Lord Elgin acquired the Marbles from the ruins of the Parthenon, in Greece
- They have been on permanent public display at the museum since 1817
- Greek governments have called for their return since the 1980s
- They have even enlisted human rights lawyer Amal Clooney to help
The argument over whether the Elgin Marbles should remain in Britain or be returned to Greece is expected to be revived this summer – thanks to the French artist Rodin.
Works by the sculptor, who died in 1917, are to be exhibited at the British Museum alongside the fragments from the Parthenon in Athens.
The idea is to show how the headless figures taught Rodin that the body could express emotion, as shown in his masterpiece The Kiss, pictured.
Pictured: A section of the Parthenon Marbles, also known as the Elgin Marbles in the British Museum. Greek governments have called for their return since the 1980s and have even enlisted human rights lawyer Amal Clooney to help their campaign
Because he never visited Greece, exerts say he may have picked up the idea from some of his 15 visits to the British Museum.
This, it is argued, shows why the museum is the right setting for the Marbles, acquired from the ruins of the Parthenon by Lord Elgin and brought to Britain about 200 years ago.
They have been on permanent public display at the museum since 1817.
Greek governments have called for their return since the 1980s and have even enlisted human rights lawyer Amal Clooney to help their campaign.
But British Museum director Hartwig Fischer said that having them there ‘placed them in the context of world cultures’.
Rodin And The Art Of Ancient Greece will run from April 26 to July 29.

Tourists views the famous Elgin Marbles on display at the British Museum in London
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