National Museum…A Treasured Landmark

September 8, 2010, 11:35 am
Filed under: Uncategorized

National Museum in Phnom Penh

 

 

 

 

The first archaeological pieces collected were gathered and housed in the Silver Pagoda in 1905. In 1917, Governor General of Indochina, Albert Sarraut, appointed George Groslier, a painter, to conduct a study on the state of Cambodian arts. Groslier recommended a program of “Renovation of the Arts”, which included the creation of an art school and a new museum in Cambodia. On April 13, 1920, the Albert Sarraut Museum and the Cambodian School of Arts were inaugurated and dedicated by King Sisowath. George Groslier designed and directed the two institutions. The museum was placed under the authority of the EFEO (École francaise d’Extrême-Orient). 

From 1923-1943, more archaeological collections, royal and monastic objects, and photographs were displayed in the museum. During the Khmer Rouge Regime, from 1975-1979, the museum closed and all activities were ceased. On April 13, 1979, the Museum of Art and Archaeology reopened. From 1992 and until now, the museum was renamed the National Museum of Cambodia, and Pich Keo, Khun Samen, Hab Touch and Oun Palline followed one after the other as heads of the museum. Major restoration campaigns launched the creation of a workshop and laboratory for stone, metals, and ceramics, progressive rehabilitation of the buildings, and opening of new rooms.
The beautiful rust-red exterior of the National Museum, located next to the Royal Palace, has over 5,000 pieces of sculptures, relics, and artifacts, including the Angkorian era, from the 9^th-15^th century, and collection of pieces from later periods. Khmer culture is famous for magnificent temples, and for its monumental and beauty of its sculptural art. Cambodia’s cultural heritage is of great value and the National Museum provides a source of pride and identity to the Cambodian people who have lost so much in recent decades.
 Cambodia is the first country in East Asia to receive the help from the U.S. in protecting its cultural property. An example: (Head of Apsara, Angkor period, Angkor Wat style, 12^th century, sandstone), this Apsara was smuggled out of Cambodia and was seized from an importer in California in 2005. The piece was brought back to Cambodia on July 30, 2007 and now displayed at the National Museum. Many statues stolen from the Temples of Angkor and Angkor Wat have been retrieved in New York, England, and other countries. Visiting the National Museum after you visit the Angkors in Siem Reap helps lends context to the Angkorian artifacts. Today, the numbers of visitors have steadily increased and the National Museum housed expensive pieces of art, but most important of all, it’s pieces of Cambodia’s heritage, which is priceless.
Several exhibitions based on the National Museum of Cambodia’s excellent collection has been held outside Cambodia, allowing international audiences access to magnificent works of Khmer art. Exhibitions of Cambodian art and architecture have proven extremely popular at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Osaka Municipal Museum of Art, Seoul Museum of History, Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, and the National Gallery of Art, Washington DC.