Although I never had an office in the United Nations Headquarters building, my work at the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) took me there frequently, and I always enjoyed the chance to view its art treasures. I was awed by the ancient Peruvian burial mantle, still in such pristine condition, and by the glorious Chagall stained glass window. I had a special fondness for Nigeria's insouciant sculpture of a lady, the Picasso tapestry in delicate pastel shades called "Woman on a Ladder" and Denmark's gift of the sole replica made of a Bronze Age "Chariot of the Sun", dug up by a farmer in 1902.

Taking friends through the United Nations Headquarters after my retirement, I realized that most of these works of art are not accessible to visitors taking the standard tour. That led me to the idea of a book about the UN art collection.

When I seriously embarked on the project, I discovered that in the richness and variety of its possessions, mostly gifts of Member States, the United Nations had the equivalent of a fine small museum, and that the sculptures, paintings, tapestries, mosaics and other works represent a veritable United Nations of art.

"This art of all nations", said Secretary-General Kofi Annan, "reflects the wonderful diversity of cultures and historical traditions that coexist at the United Nations. It also speaks of universal themes—peace, justice and human rights—shared by all the world's peoples."

In making their gifts to the United Nations, most nations have come forward with works of art reflecting the ideals and expertise of their finest artists. Some objects are of ancient origin; others illustrate the creativity of twentieth century artists. Some are purely ornamental, while others speak to the principal aims and achievements of the world Organization.

Appropriate decoration of the Headquarters was an early concern of the architects who planned the buildings. The theme of peace was reflected in many of the first offerings. Two huge murals representing "War" and "Peace", by the Brazilian artist Candido Portinari, dominate the Delegates' Lobby of the General Assembly building, along with Belgium's mural tapestry, "Triumph of Peace", one of the largest ever woven (pictured above). Other early gifts included a bronze equestrian statue of a woman, given by Yugoslavia, symbolizing peace, and a bronze sculpture, "Let Us Beat Swords into Plowshares" from the Soviet Union. In the Security Council Chamber is a mural by Norwegian artist Per Krohg (pictured in background on page 78). A mural by Jose Vela Zanetti of the Dominican Republic titled "Mankind's Struggle for a Lasting Peace" was the gift of the Guggenheim Foundation. Outside the General Assembly entrance is an 11th century sculpture from India and a 700 B.C. statuette of Osiris given by Egypt (pictured at left). Iran, Iraq and Turkey have given interesting replicas of ancient peace treaties.

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About the Author:

Edward B. Marks' career of nearly fifty years in international humanitarian work has been divided equally about the United Nations and the United States Government, with some periods of service for non-governmental organizations. He has written for the New Yorker, The New York Times Magazine, and other publications, and is the author of A WORLD OF ART—The United Nations Collection. His first UN job in 1947 was at the Geneva headquarters of the International Refugee Organization (IRO) and he subsequently served as IRO's Chief of Mission in Greece; a quarter century later he joined the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), serving in Geneva and New York. After his retirement in 1982, he served as interim President of the United States Committee for UNICEF and as Chairman of the Immigration and Refugee Services of America. Everyone has the right to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits. Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author. —Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 27