Les Deux Soeurs. — 1890, Pierre-Auguste Renoir
Is Saving Art Worth Lives?
One of our students asked this question. It was one that deserved serious thought. I found this very insightful piece by a tenth grader that did a wonderful job of framing the dilemma:
Is Saving Art Worth Lives
[click to read]
By Amalia Abecassis, tenth-grade student at Shalhevet High School
When we think of the heroes in World War II, we usually think of individuals who saved others’ lives. But what about the heroes who risked their lives to save culture (read more)
“I couldn’t help but think of the MFAA soldiers that were killed for the sake of art during the war. Their deaths conveyed a powerful message: Saving art is worth a human life because it means saving our ability to document our history, maintain our identity, and preserve our culture through time. Art provides a personal and emotional perspective on history that allows us to understand others’ experiences as humans. In an age in which technology can be manipulative and any version of history spread online, art is like a primary source that serves as proof of the humanity of others across time and cultures. What is more valuable than that?” — Amelia Abecassis