Smithsonian displays ancient artwork from city threatened by ISIS
THE NEW YORK TIMES | ARTBEAT
By Tom Mashberg
WASHINGTON, D.C.---To highlight the cultural destruction threatening the ancient crossroads city of Palmyra, in the Syria desert, the Smithsonian Institution is putting an intricately carved funerary bust acquired in 1908 on long-term display, officials said on Monday. Islamic State militants have vowed to destroy statues, sculptures and other relics from the 2,000-year-old city, one of the region’s best-preserved sites from the ancient world, since taking control there last month. [link]
By Tom Mashberg
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| Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institute |