Thursday, February 24, 2011

Tell me again about the "public trust" (a continuing series)

Because who needs another Renoir, right?

How come no one seems to worry about nervous, fleeing donors when a museum ships a work like this off to Maastricht for sale at $15 million?

Why wouldn't somebody say, Why should I give this to you? What guarantee do I have that you're not going to sell this tomorrow?

How is it that only some sales have a chilling effect on future donations?

It's almost as if the whole thing is an exercise in smoke and mirrors.