Last year, citing financial strains imposed by the lockdown, the Association of Art Museum Directors relaxed its code of practice for "deaccessioning" - the sale of permanent collection pieces to fund museum expenses, maintenance and salaries. Shortly after that, the Brooklyn Museum began selling off European pieces like Lucas Cranach the Elder’s 16th-century painting
It astounds me that some of these people can't see that the canon doesn't have to be upended to make up for whatever sins they claim to care about. You can ADD rather than subtract from it. That would be the best way to elevate previously marginalized artists, as it would be society's way of putting these works on par with the best, rather than scuttle the entire definition of "the best" altogether. But, of course, going that route wouldn't serve the ideological agenda.
If I was obscenely rich, I would (among other things) buy up the best of what's being sold off and just start my own museum.
It astounds me that some of these people can't see that the canon doesn't have to be upended to make up for whatever sins they claim to care about. You can ADD rather than subtract from it. That would be the best way to elevate previously marginalized artists, as it would be society's way of putting these works on par with the best, rather than scuttle the entire definition of "the best" altogether. But, of course, going that route wouldn't serve the ideological agenda.
If I was obscenely rich, I would (among other things) buy up the best of what's being sold off and just start my own museum.
Just an excellent piece of writing which I was surprised by, as I didn't know Angela's relationship to art. Well done!