Last Summer’s Controversy at the British Museum
Last summer, Hartwig Fischer resigned as the director of the British Museum, just days after it emerged that the museum had fired a curator who was suspected of looting gems from its storerooms. Less than a year later, Fischer is back at the top of the museum world.
Fischer’s New Appointment in Saudi Arabia
This week, the Saudi Museums Commission announced the appointment of Fischer as the founding director of its museum of world cultures, set to open in Riyadh in 2026. The commission emphasized Fischer’s “global expertise in leading international cultural institutions and museums” in their decision to appoint him.
Fischer’s Background and Previous Roles
Fischer, a German art historian, previously served as the director of the State Art Collections of Dresden before taking on the role at the British Museum in 2016. During his time at the British Museum, Fischer managed a vast array of renowned artifacts, including the Parthenon Sculptures and the Rosetta Stone.
Controversy at the British Museum
Despite a relatively smooth tenure at the British Museum, Fischer faced challenges in August when a curator in the Greek and Roman antiquities department was dismissed on suspicion of looting jewels from the museum’s stores. Fischer expressed his determination to address the issues, but subsequent revelations raised further concerns.
Revelations and Criticisms
In the following weeks, Fischer’s position was undermined as emails surfaced, revealing his dismissal of concerns raised by an antiquities dealer regarding potential thefts. The New York Times and the BBC published excerpts from these emails, further intensifying the scrutiny on Fischer’s leadership at the British Museum.
