Hartwig Fischer, who since 2016 has served as director of the British Museum, one of the most visited museums in the world, announced his resignation on Friday, August 25th.
The decision comes after it was made public earlier this month that hundreds of objects—some dating back to the 15th century B.C.—from the famed museum’s vast collection were found to be “missing, stolen or damaged.” None of the objects had been on display recently and were kept in the museum’s warehouses.
Last week, the museum sacked a member of staff—later identified as Peter Higgs, curator for its Greek collections—believing that he was behind the thefts, which allegedly took place over a span of 10-20 years. Higgs has denied any involvement.
In a statement, Fischer, an art historian by trade, admitted that the British Museum did not “respond as comprehensively as it should have in response to the warnings [that items were missing or being stolen] in 2021, and to the problem that has now fully emerged.” Responsibility for that failure, he added, “must ultimately rest with the Director.”
Fischer, who was to leave the position in 2024, had come under sharp criticism for not taking these warnings with the necessary seriousness.
In 2021, art dealer Ittai Gradel alerted the museum that some of its items were being offered for sale online, including on eBay. The museum dismissed that claim, claiming its collection was in fact complete.
In his statement, Fischer retracted previous statements he had made about Gradel. Earlier this week, the director said Gradel had withheld information about the extent of the theft when he informed the museum. Now appearing contrite, Fischer expressed his “sincere regret” for having “misjudged” these remarks.
Fischer will step down as soon as the Board of Trustees has chosen an interim director.
In the museum’s statement, Chair of Trustees George Osborne said Fischer had “acted honourably in confronting the mistakes that have been made” and that “the process of finding a new permanent Director is already underway.”
Osborne concluded:
We are going to fix what has gone wrong. The Museum has a mission that lasts across generations. We will learn, restore confidence and deserve to be admired once again.
As the British Museum gets busy salvaging its somewhat tarnished reputation, experts fear the gold jewellery, gems, and other priceless items the institution has been deprived of could already have been melted down, recut, or sent abroad.
