A top art historian has issued a stark warning against plans to move the historic Bayeux Tapestry to the British Museum, labelling the proposed loan a dangerous "vanity project". Professor Shirley Ann Brown, an expert who has studied the 900-year-old embroidery up close, says its delicate state makes the risks of transport unacceptable.
An 'Irreplaceable' Relic at Risk
Professor Shirley Ann Brown, professor emerita of art history at York University in Toronto, told The Independent that her firsthand examination of the tapestry in 2020 convinced her it is "not worth" the peril of moving it from its home in Normandy, France, to London. "The tapestry is irreplaceable," she stated. "Every physical movement or alteration of its controlled environment has a detrimental effect."
Her warning follows artist David Hockney's public condemnation of the plan, which he described as "madness" and a "reckless" ordeal for the artefact. The tapestry, which depicts the Norman conquest of England in 1066, is due to be displayed at the British Museum for nine months next year, a move expected to draw millions of visitors.
Why the Move Poses a Grave Threat
Professor Brown, one of few scholars to inspect the work without its protective glass, detailed the specific hazards. She explained the 70-metre-long medieval embroidery is "extremely fragile" due to its age, past damage, and several historical restorations since the 1730s.
The greatest danger, she believes, lies in the repeated packing and unpacking from storage crates. "In spite of all the planning and professionalism involved, there is always an element of risk when physically handling something as extremely fragile as the Bayeux Tapestry," Brown said. Potential damage includes irreparable tears and unravelling of the ancient fabric.
She also raised security concerns, noting that crowd surveillance would need to be "perfect" to protect the tapestry from potential protesters. Dismissing the educational and financial benefits cited for the loan, Brown agreed with Hockney's assessment, calling the project fuelled by "political forces and competition within the museum world".
Museum Insists on Expert Handling
Exhibition officials and the British Museum have defended the plans, insisting their conservation team is world-leading and experienced in handling such material. A museum spokesperson said they are working closely with French colleagues on the tapestry's display and care.
However, Professor Brown's grave assessment, based on decades of research, adds significant weight to the chorus of historians and conservationists opposing the move. The debate now centres on whether the potential rewards of a London exhibition truly justify the existential risk to one of the world's most precious historical artefacts.
