Julian Spalding, who headed public collections in Sheffield, Manchester and Glasgow, argues that the National Gallery could, in its bicentenary this year, "resuscitate the great art of painting" by hanging pictures by David Hockney and other "great artists" alongside old masters.
He told the Guardian that he was throwing down a direct challenge to the National Gallery. "I feel very passionate about it. The bicentenary is a fantastic occasion to do it. In 200 years' time, every painting will be over 300 years old... They're creating this terrible fossil." In a letter sent last week to Gabriele Finaldi, the director of the National Gallery, he criticises its 1990s agreement with the Tate that 1900 should divide their respective collections, saying: "[It was] as if painting died then as a great art form. This isn't what happened. The art of painting non-representationally was brilliantly reinvented for our times, by Picasso and Matisse, of course, and many others." Spalding, who has also written to King Charles about the issue, argues that removing this cut-off date could lead to "the renaissance of painting".
He said: "Bringing the collection up to date will also naturally and most importantly widen the gallery's representation of women artists and the art of many cultures, truly reflecting the nature of Britain and our world today." He added: "When it was founded, the gallery's collection was ongoing, with paintings being added when their greatness became apparent." For example, Van Gogh's Chair was bought 34 years after it was painted.
この記事は The Guardian の February 10, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
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この記事は The Guardian の February 10, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
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