Jakob Wigand
@jawi.bsky.social
PhD candidate @ uhh || colonial provenance research x history of science x collection history || he/him
October 13, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Papyrus bilinguis 1 is now on display—together with its full provenance history—at the Hamburg State and University Library (06 Aug – 28 Sep 2025).
🔗 Exhibition info: blog.sub.uni-hamburg.de?p=40573
📄 For more information see my article: doi.org/10.1163/2451...
🔗 Exhibition info: blog.sub.uni-hamburg.de?p=40573
📄 For more information see my article: doi.org/10.1163/2451...
September 8, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Papyrus bilinguis 1 is now on display—together with its full provenance history—at the Hamburg State and University Library (06 Aug – 28 Sep 2025).
🔗 Exhibition info: blog.sub.uni-hamburg.de?p=40573
📄 For more information see my article: doi.org/10.1163/2451...
🔗 Exhibition info: blog.sub.uni-hamburg.de?p=40573
📄 For more information see my article: doi.org/10.1163/2451...
But the story does not end here. How should institutions address illicit acquisitions of the past? What responsibilities follow for today’s collections? So far, the State and University Library Hamburg has not taken a clear position - an open debate is still needed.
September 8, 2025 at 9:53 PM
But the story does not end here. How should institutions address illicit acquisitions of the past? What responsibilities follow for today’s collections? So far, the State and University Library Hamburg has not taken a clear position - an open debate is still needed.
The story of Papyrus bilinguis 1 shows how European institutions and collectors used secrecy to conceal illicit activities.This summer, the papyrus with its problematic provenance history is finally exhibited at Hamburg’s library.
September 8, 2025 at 9:53 PM
The story of Papyrus bilinguis 1 shows how European institutions and collectors used secrecy to conceal illicit activities.This summer, the papyrus with its problematic provenance history is finally exhibited at Hamburg’s library.
In 1929 Schmidt published news of the acquisition. Still, he feared repercussions if the story reached Egypt. The papyrus’s illicit provenance remained unknown for nearly a century.
September 8, 2025 at 9:53 PM
In 1929 Schmidt published news of the acquisition. Still, he feared repercussions if the story reached Egypt. The papyrus’s illicit provenance remained unknown for nearly a century.
Why the delays? Provenance. Carl Schmidt, a scholar and well-known buyer of manuscripts, had bought the papyrus in Egypt without the required approval of the authorities. Fearing publicity might alert the Egyptian state, he repeatedly urged Hamburg’s library to keep the purchase secret.
September 8, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Why the delays? Provenance. Carl Schmidt, a scholar and well-known buyer of manuscripts, had bought the papyrus in Egypt without the required approval of the authorities. Fearing publicity might alert the Egyptian state, he repeatedly urged Hamburg’s library to keep the purchase secret.
In May 1927 the codex was acquired, but only in 1929 did Hamburg newspapers announce it. In 2023, I proposed exhibiting the papyrus and its provenance. Again, it took two years - until 2025 - for the papyrus to be displayed publicly.
September 8, 2025 at 9:53 PM
In May 1927 the codex was acquired, but only in 1929 did Hamburg newspapers announce it. In 2023, I proposed exhibiting the papyrus and its provenance. Again, it took two years - until 2025 - for the papyrus to be displayed publicly.
Reposted by Jakob Wigand
I am also fascinated by the anonymity of this beautifully researched and written article on the artifact in question. Is it a sign that telling the simple truth about provenance can endanger a career in the art world? A way for people to speak despite the danger? apollo-magazine.com/grasshopper-...
Did this grasshopper come from the tomb of Tutankhamun?
The Guennol Grasshopper is coming to auction after spending years in notable private collections, but are its origins even more illustrious?
apollo-magazine.com
July 25, 2025 at 12:24 PM
I am also fascinated by the anonymity of this beautifully researched and written article on the artifact in question. Is it a sign that telling the simple truth about provenance can endanger a career in the art world? A way for people to speak despite the danger? apollo-magazine.com/grasshopper-...
Gesehen am Kreuzstadl Rechnitz, Burgenland, wo im März 1945 200 jüdisch-ungarische Zwangsarbeiter ermordet wurden.
June 10, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Gesehen am Kreuzstadl Rechnitz, Burgenland, wo im März 1945 200 jüdisch-ungarische Zwangsarbeiter ermordet wurden.
Aus: Bewahr und schütz mich
Miklos Radnóti, Gewaltmarsch
Ausgewählte Gedichte
Corvina Verlag, Budapest, 1979
Miklos Radnóti, Gewaltmarsch
Ausgewählte Gedichte
Corvina Verlag, Budapest, 1979
June 10, 2025 at 9:22 AM
Aus: Bewahr und schütz mich
Miklos Radnóti, Gewaltmarsch
Ausgewählte Gedichte
Corvina Verlag, Budapest, 1979
Miklos Radnóti, Gewaltmarsch
Ausgewählte Gedichte
Corvina Verlag, Budapest, 1979
