United Nations Art Collection facts for kids
The United Nations Art Collection is a special group of artworks and historical items. These pieces are given as gifts to the United Nations by its member countries, groups, or even individuals. Most of these artistic treasures are sculptures, paintings, tapestries, and mosaics. They show the "arts of nations" and are displayed at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, USA, and other UN offices. This makes the UN and its international areas feel like a "fine small museum."
Member countries follow special rules when giving official gifts to the United Nations. There are procedures, speeches, and ceremonies, like when a new gift is shown for the first time. These events are managed by the Protocol and Liaison Service. Usually, each member country can only give one main gift. Also, the countries that give the gifts are responsible for setting them up.
These official gifts show the important ideas, meaning, and values of the UN as a global organization. They represent peace, cooperation, and understanding among different nations.
What Art is in the Collection?
The UN art collection includes many famous and meaningful pieces. Here are some of them:
- In 1964, a large stained glass window called Peace was given to the UN. It was made by Marc Chagall and donated by UN staff and Chagall himself. This gift honors Dag Hammarskjöld, who was the Secretary-General of the United Nations from 1953 until he passed away in 1961. The window has many symbols that stand for love and peace.
- In 1952, two murals by Fernand Léger were put up in the General Assembly Hall.
- The United Nations Security Council mural, created by Per Krohg, was also installed in 1952.
- War and Peace are two paintings by Brazilian artist Candido Portinari. These paintings do not show weapons. Instead, they show the suffering of people during war. This helps to explain how terrible fighting can be. The paintings show how important it is to keep peace and try to stop violent conflicts.
- In 1985, Nancy Reagan, who was the First Lady of the United States, gave a mosaic to the United Nations. This was to celebrate the UN's 40th birthday. The Golden Rule mosaic was made by artists from Venice. It was based on a painting by Norman Rockwell. The mosaic shows people of all different backgrounds and colors. It shares the message to "do unto others as you would have them do unto you".
- The Japanese Peace Bell was given to the United Nations in June 1954. It was a gift from the United Nations Association of Japan. The bell was made from coins collected by people from 60 different countries, including children. It is kept in a structure that looks like a Shinto shrine, made of cypress wood. The bell is rung twice a year: on the first day of Spring (the Vernal Equinox) and on September 21. This second ringing happens when the United Nations General Assembly starts its meeting.
- In 1959, a bronze sculpture called Let Us Beat Swords into Plowshares was given to the United Nations by the Soviet Union. It was made by Evgeniy Vuchetich. The sculpture shows the human desire to end all wars. It suggests turning weapons of war into peaceful tools that help people.
- In 1996, Sphere Within Sphere, a sculpture by Arnaldo Pomodoro, was given to the UN. It was a gift from Lamberto Dini, who was Italy's Minister for Foreign Affairs.
- A life-size tapestry copy of Pablo Picasso's famous painting Guernica is displayed at the UN building in New York City. It is near the entrance to the United Nations Security Council room. The tapestry was made by Jacqueline de la Baume Dürrbach.
- Single Form is a sculpture made by Barbara Hepworth in 1964. It is a memorial to UN Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld. He died in an airplane crash in Africa in 1961.
Taking Care of the Art
The UN Arts Committee is the main group that takes care of the art collection. Other groups, like the Maecenas World Patrimony Foundation, also help the United Nations. They raise money and follow special rules to help protect these important artworks and international treasures.
However, about 50 gifts are currently stored in the basement. Some of these have been there for many decades and are in danger of falling apart.
Images for kids
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Dove of Peace, presented by Pope John Paul II during his visit to the United Nations on October 2, 1979.
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The Japanese Peace Bell, given in 1954.
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Let Us Beat Swords into Plowshares by Yevgeny Vuchetich, 1959.
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Sphere Within Sphere, by Arnaldo Pomodoro, 1996.
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The Guernica tapestry, by Jacqueline de la Baume Dürrbach, on loan to the Whitechapel Gallery in London in 2009.
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Single Form, Barbara Hepworth's 1964 sculpture, displayed in the pool in front of the United Nations Secretariat Building.
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Non-Violence, a 1985 sculpture by Carl Fredrik Reuterswärd.
See also
In Spanish: Colección de arte de las Naciones Unidas para niños
