Comments on: Another Deaccession Session http://lookingaround.blogs.time.com/2009/01/06/another-deaccession-session/ Reflections on art and architecture by TIME critic Richard Lacayo. Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:49:16 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: rjsloat http://lookingaround.blogs.time.com/2009/01/06/another-deaccession-session/comment-page-1/#comment-351 rjsloat Thu, 08 Jan 2009 03:11:14 +0000 http://lookingaround.blogs.time.com/?p=1279#comment-351 What is not understood in this debate is that the National Academy Museum never sold any paintings. The Museum did not own the paintings, nor have the right to sell them. The paintings were given to the National Academy of Design in 1865, there was no Museum then. That is why the Artist Membership of the Academy had to vote to sell, and did so 181 to 1. The National Academy of Design preserved these paintings for over 140 years, longer than the existence of practically any Museum in America. Not an irresponsible act. Artists produce culture and send it out into the world. They do not hold on to their children forever. A painting takes on a life of its own and finds its place in the culture as did Eakins "Wrestler" at LACMA. The AAMD action to restrict the interaction of museums with each other, restricts the cultural dialog that it claims to value. What is not understood in this debate is that the National Academy Museum never sold any paintings. The Museum did not own the paintings, nor have the right to sell them. The paintings were given to the National Academy of Design in 1865, there was no Museum then. That is why the Artist Membership of the Academy had to vote to sell, and did so 181 to 1. The National Academy of Design preserved these paintings for over 140 years, longer than the existence of practically any Museum in America. Not an irresponsible act.

Artists produce culture and send it out into the world. They do not hold on to their children forever. A painting takes on a life of its own and finds its place in the culture as did Eakins "Wrestler" at LACMA. The AAMD action to restrict the interaction of museums with each other, restricts the cultural dialog that it claims to value.

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