U.N. Art: At Risk?

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  • The U.N. displays more than 240 works of art, including this stained glass window by Marc Chagall, but an internal audit showed that a number of artworks have been lost by the world body. Even those still in U.N. hands have little proper oversight and remain uninsured, according to the U.N. report.
  • The bronze sculpture "Mother and Child" was created by the Italian artist Giacomo Manzu and presented to the United Nations by the government of Italy in 1989. The U.N. displays more than 240 works of art, but an internal audit showed that a number of artworks have been lost by the world body. Even those still in U.N. hands have little proper oversight and remain uninsured, according to the U.N. report.
  • The bronze sculpture "Non-Violence" was a gift from the government of Luxembourg, presented to the U.N. in 1988. The U.N. displays more than 240 works of art, but an internal audit showed that a number of artworks have been lost by the world body. Even those still in U.N. hands have little proper oversight and remain uninsured, according to the U.N. report.
  • The bronze sculpture "Let Us Beat Our Swords into Ploughshares" was created by Soviet artist Evgeny Vuchetich and presented to the U.N. on Dec. 4, 1959 by the government of the USSR. The U.N. displays more than 240 works of art, but an internal audit showed that a number of artworks have been lost by the world body. Even those still in U.N. hands have little proper oversight and remain uninsured, according to the U.N. report.
  • The Japanese Peace Bell was presented to the United Nations in June 1954 by the United Nations Association of Japan. It was cast from coins collected by people from 60 different countries. The U.N. displays more than 240 works of art, but an internal audit showed that a number of artworks have been lost by the world body. Even those still in U.N. hands have little proper oversight and remain uninsured, according to the U.N. report.
  • This ivory carving -- made using eight elephant tusks -- was a gift from China presented to the United Nations in 1974. It depicts the Chengdu-Kunming railway, which was opened to traffic in 1970 and covers a distance of over 600 miles. The U.N. displays more than 240 works of art, but an internal audit showed that a number of artworks have been lost by the world body. Even those still in U.N. hands have little proper oversight and remain uninsured, according to the U.N. report.
  • The sculpture "Arrival," created by John Behan, is a gift of the people of Ireland to the United Nations. It was presented on Dec. 1, 2000, and celebrates the contribution of the Irish people in their new lives among the nations of the world. The U.N. displays more than 240 works of art, but an internal audit showed that a number of artworks have been lost by the world body. Even those still in U.N. hands have little proper oversight and remain uninsured, according to the U.N. report.
  • A sculpture symbolizing "sisterhood solidarity" that was presented by Arab women to the United Nations. The sculpture is made of brushed stainless steel, approximately 12 feet high, weighs about 3000 pounds and sits on a pink marble base. It is designed by artist and sculptor Silvio Russo and depicts 12 women holding hands in a synergetic representation of a rising sun. The U.N. displays more than 240 works of art, but an internal audit showed that a number of artworks have been lost by the world body. Even those still in U.N. hands have little proper oversight and remain uninsured, according to the U.N. report.
  • The Government of Nigeria donated this bronze sculpture to the U.N. in 1966. The sculpture, executed by the Nigerian artist Ben Enwonwu, is entitled "Anyanwu" ("Sun"), and stands six feet ten inches high, representing a woman clad in the regalia of the ancient kingdom of Royal Benin, now part of Nigeria. It symbolizes the rising of a new nation. The U.N. displays more than 240 works of art, but an internal audit showed that a number of artworks have been lost by the world body. Even those still in U.N. hands have little proper oversight and remain uninsured, according to the U.N. report.
  • "The Sleeping Elephant", a bronze cast, was a gift of the governments of Kenya, Namibia and Nepal. The sculpture is the work of artist Mihail and was presented to the United Nations on Nov. 18, 1998. The U.N. displays more than 240 works of art, but an internal audit showed that a number of artworks have been lost by the world body. Even those still in U.N. hands have little proper oversight and remain uninsured, according to the U.N. report.