Ian Jenkins (curator)
Encyclopedia
Ian Dennis Jenkins OBE
is a Senior Curator at the British Museum
and is an expert on Ancient Greece and specializes in Ancient Greek sculpture
. Jenkins has a number of books published, and over a hundred articles. He leads the British Museum's excavations at Cnidus and has been involved in the debate over the ownership of the Elgin Marbles
.
where he read Ancient Greek with Archaeology and Ancient History. He joined the British Museum in 1978, receiving his PhD from the University of London in 1990.
Jenkins has responsibility for the ancient Greek collections at the British Museum
. At the Museum he wrote his doctorate on the collection history and reception of the British Museum's Egyptian, Assyrian and Classical sculptures. His thesis was published by the British Museum in 1992 as Archaeologists and Aesthetes in the Sculpture Galleries of the British Museum 1800-1939 .
Jenkins divides his current research interests between Greek architecture and sculpture and the history of the reception of Classical art and architecture in the modern era. His work on the history of collecting includes studies on the Paper Museum of Cassiano dal Pozzo
and the archive of documents and drawings compiled by the 18th century antiquary and collector, Charles Townley, which came into the museum's possession in the 1990s.
Jenkins has curated many of the permanent galleries at the British Museum including Greek and Roman Life (Room 69), Hellenistic World (Room 22), the Parthenon
galleries (Room 18), and the display of the Bassae
sculptures in the British Museum. He was a major participant in the team responsible for the Enlightenment Gallery (Room 1). He co-curated the special exhibition "Vases and Volcanoes" in 1996, on the life and collection of Sir William Hamilton
and his circle.
In 1998, Jenkins worked on finding ways of making the Parthenon Frieze
accessible to visually impaired people. He lectured about this and the new archaeological insights that the project had brought about when he was the Samuel Henry Kress lecturer in ancient art for the Archaeological Institute of America
in the same year. He was simultaneously a visiting professor at Cornell University
.
In 2008, Jenkins co-curated an exhibition about the ancient Olympic games for the 2008 Summer Olympics
in Beijing
. The exhibition visited Shanghai
and Hong Kong
. This exhibition was to form the basis of the British Museum's current international touring exhibition, 'The Body Beautiful in Ancient Greece'.
Jenkins leads the British Museum's excavations at Cnidus (Knidos) in Turkey, a site visited by various scholars in the 19th century. Published reports have appeared in Anatolian Archaeology, most recently in 2006.
Jenkins was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2010 Birthday Honours. He is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London
, and a corresponding member of the German Archaeological Institute
and Archaeological Institute of America
.
. He was quoted "The British Museum is not infallible, it is not the Pope. Its history has been a series of good intentions marred by the occasional cock-up, and the 1930s cleaning was such a cock-up". Jenkin's conceded that cleaning conducted in 1930s by the Museum was a mistake (they used wire wool), but the damage was being exaggerated for political reasons.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
is a Senior Curator at the British Museum
British Museum
The British Museum is a museum of human history and culture in London. Its collections, which number more than seven million objects, are amongst the largest and most comprehensive in the world and originate from all continents, illustrating and documenting the story of human culture from its...
and is an expert on Ancient Greece and specializes in Ancient Greek sculpture
Ancient Greek sculpture
Ancient Greek sculpture is the sculpture of Ancient Greece. Modern scholarship identifies three major stages. They were used to depict the battles, mythology, and rulers of the land known as Ancient Greece.-Geometric:...
. Jenkins has a number of books published, and over a hundred articles. He leads the British Museum's excavations at Cnidus and has been involved in the debate over the ownership of the Elgin Marbles
Elgin Marbles
The Parthenon Marbles, forming a part of the collection known as the Elgin Marbles , are a collection of classical Greek marble sculptures , inscriptions and architectural members that originally were part of the Parthenon and other buildings on the Acropolis of Athens...
.
Career
Ian Jenkins studied at the University of BristolUniversity of Bristol
The University of Bristol is a public research university located in Bristol, United Kingdom. One of the so-called "red brick" universities, it received its Royal Charter in 1909, although its predecessor institution, University College, Bristol, had been in existence since 1876.The University is...
where he read Ancient Greek with Archaeology and Ancient History. He joined the British Museum in 1978, receiving his PhD from the University of London in 1990.
Jenkins has responsibility for the ancient Greek collections at the British Museum
British Museum
The British Museum is a museum of human history and culture in London. Its collections, which number more than seven million objects, are amongst the largest and most comprehensive in the world and originate from all continents, illustrating and documenting the story of human culture from its...
. At the Museum he wrote his doctorate on the collection history and reception of the British Museum's Egyptian, Assyrian and Classical sculptures. His thesis was published by the British Museum in 1992 as Archaeologists and Aesthetes in the Sculpture Galleries of the British Museum 1800-1939 .
Jenkins divides his current research interests between Greek architecture and sculpture and the history of the reception of Classical art and architecture in the modern era. His work on the history of collecting includes studies on the Paper Museum of Cassiano dal Pozzo
Cassiano dal Pozzo
Cassiano dal Pozzo was an Italian scholar and patron of arts. The secretary of Cardinal Francesco Barberini, he was an antiquary in the classicizing circle of Rome, and a long-term friend and patron of Nicolas Poussin, whom he supported from his earliest arrival in Rome: Poussin in a letter...
and the archive of documents and drawings compiled by the 18th century antiquary and collector, Charles Townley, which came into the museum's possession in the 1990s.
Jenkins has curated many of the permanent galleries at the British Museum including Greek and Roman Life (Room 69), Hellenistic World (Room 22), the Parthenon
Parthenon
The Parthenon is a temple on the Athenian Acropolis, Greece, dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena, whom the people of Athens considered their virgin patron. Its construction began in 447 BC when the Athenian Empire was at the height of its power. It was completed in 438 BC, although...
galleries (Room 18), and the display of the Bassae
Bassae
Bassae or Bassai, Vassai or Vasses , meaning "little vale in the rocks", is an archaeological site in the northeastern part of Messinia Prefecture that was a part of Arcadia in ancient times. Bassae lies near the village of Skliros, northeast of Figaleia, south of Andritsaina and west of Megalopolis...
sculptures in the British Museum. He was a major participant in the team responsible for the Enlightenment Gallery (Room 1). He co-curated the special exhibition "Vases and Volcanoes" in 1996, on the life and collection of Sir William Hamilton
William Hamilton
-Europeans:Politicians and noblemen*William Hamilton, 2nd Duke of Hamilton , Scottish nobleman*William Douglas-Hamilton, Duke of Hamilton , Scottish Nobleman*William Hamilton , Lord Chancellor of England...
and his circle.
In 1998, Jenkins worked on finding ways of making the Parthenon Frieze
Parthenon Frieze
The Parthenon frieze is the low relief, pentelic marble sculpture created to adorn the upper part of the Parthenon’s naos. It was sculpted between ca. 443 and 438 BC, most likely under the direction of Pheidias. Of the of the original frieze, survives—some 80 percent...
accessible to visually impaired people. He lectured about this and the new archaeological insights that the project had brought about when he was the Samuel Henry Kress lecturer in ancient art for the Archaeological Institute of America
Archaeological Institute of America
The Archaeological Institute of America is a North American nonprofit organization devoted to the promotion of public interest in archaeology, and the preservation of archaeological sites. It has offices on the campus of Boston University and in New York City.The institute was founded in 1879,...
in the same year. He was simultaneously a visiting professor at Cornell University
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
.
In 2008, Jenkins co-curated an exhibition about the ancient Olympic games for the 2008 Summer Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
. The exhibition visited Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
and Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. This exhibition was to form the basis of the British Museum's current international touring exhibition, 'The Body Beautiful in Ancient Greece'.
Jenkins leads the British Museum's excavations at Cnidus (Knidos) in Turkey, a site visited by various scholars in the 19th century. Published reports have appeared in Anatolian Archaeology, most recently in 2006.
Jenkins was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2010 Birthday Honours. He is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London
Society of Antiquaries of London
The Society of Antiquaries of London is a learned society "charged by its Royal Charter of 1751 with 'the encouragement, advancement and furtherance of the study and knowledge of the antiquities and history of this and other countries'." It is based at Burlington House, Piccadilly, London , and is...
, and a corresponding member of the German Archaeological Institute
German Archaeological Institute
The German Archaeological Institute is an institution of research within the field of archaeology , and a "scientific corporation", with parentage of the federal Foreign Office of Germany-Origin:...
and Archaeological Institute of America
Archaeological Institute of America
The Archaeological Institute of America is a North American nonprofit organization devoted to the promotion of public interest in archaeology, and the preservation of archaeological sites. It has offices on the campus of Boston University and in New York City.The institute was founded in 1879,...
.
Elgin Marbles debate
In 1999, Jenkins, was asked to comment over a debate concerning the "damage" done to the Elgin MarblesElgin Marbles
The Parthenon Marbles, forming a part of the collection known as the Elgin Marbles , are a collection of classical Greek marble sculptures , inscriptions and architectural members that originally were part of the Parthenon and other buildings on the Acropolis of Athens...
. He was quoted "The British Museum is not infallible, it is not the Pope. Its history has been a series of good intentions marred by the occasional cock-up, and the 1930s cleaning was such a cock-up". Jenkin's conceded that cleaning conducted in 1930s by the Museum was a mistake (they used wire wool), but the damage was being exaggerated for political reasons.