Gallery removes naked nymphs painting to 'prompt conversation'

[doversoul1]

[...]
Manchester Art Gallery has asked the question after removing John William Waterhouse’s Hylas and the Nymphs, one of the most recognisable of the pre-Raphaelite paintings, from its walls. Postcards of the painting will be removed from sale in the shop.
[…]

Should we be laughing or worried, or give up?

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2018/jan/31/manchester-art-gallery-removes-waterhouse-naked-nymphs-painting-prompt-conversation

HOST: If you think this should be on The General Art, please move it. And which painting will be the next target?

[jean]

There's such a lot of Victorian soft porn on gallery walls, why pick on this bit?

[Bryn]

Most depressing. With pornographic video freely available on the Internet, and many parents unaware of their children accessing it, how ridiculous that such art is removed from public view. What on Earth would they make of the Blind Faith album cover image?

[Stanfordian]

Most depressing. With pornographic video freely available on the Internet, and many parents unaware of their children accessing it, how ridiculous that such art is removed from public view. What on Earth would they make of the Blind Faith album cover image?

Hiya Bryn,

This approach is very, very worrying. Who have decided they are the arbiters of public taste in art?

[Stanfordian]

There's such a lot of Victorian soft porn on gallery walls, why pick on this bit?

This pornography is it?

[jean]

Of course it is!

For Victorian gentlemen who didn't want to admit it.

However, it hasn't been permanently 'removed' - it's supposed to be part of a discussion about how we display such art.

Time to remember John Berger, perhaps:

[vinteuil]

.

... whereas on the other side of the Channel, the French government is currently suing facebook for having censored, by closing down the account of a user who uploaded it, the (very explicit) Courbet 1866 'l'Origine du Monde' currently at the Musée d'Orsay -

http://www.lefigaro.fr/culture/2018/01/30/03004-20180130ARTFIG00160-facebook-juge-en-france-jeudi-pour-avoir-censure-le-tableau-l-origine-du-monde.php

There are times when I really do wish I were French....

.

[Stanfordian]

Of course it is!

For Victorian gentlemen who didn't want to admit it.

However, it hasn't been permanently 'removed' - it's suuposed to be part of a discussion about how we display such art.

Time to remember John Berger, perhaps:

I don't know any Victorian gentleman. Do you!

[Stunsworth]

I don't know any Victorian gentleman. Do you!

Although not an acquaintance I think Jacob Rees-Mogg qualifies.

[oddoneout]

Why does the painting have to be removed in order to initiate debate? By all means have the discussion and encourage the public to voice opinions, as happens in good exhibitions as a matter of course, but in my view removing it puts a layer of perception(possibly false) on the matter which wouldn't otherwise exist - things hidden are tempting and attract attention.
What about Rubens' Rape of the Sabine? Unpleasant word, unpleasant narrative, why display it?
There are a great many works of art which are, frankly, either unpleasant viewing( for all sorts of reasons) or contentious(again for all sorts of reasons); I don't see that as a reason not to display them.

[eighthobstruction]

....it (the taking down of the painting for a short time to create a story for the media/viewing public) is called : Discourse....

....it has worked/begun to work....

[Stanfordian]

Although not an acquaintance I think Jacob Rees-Mogg qualifies.

Hiya Stunsworth,

Oh, that Jacob Rees-Mogg. Evidently the favourite among Conservative Party members to be the next Tory leader - according to Daily Telegraph report 1st February 2018.

[Serial_Apologist]

.

... whereas on the other side of the Channel, the French government is currently suing facebook for having censored, by closing down the account of a user who uploaded it, the (very explicit) Courbet 1866 'l'Origine du Monde' currently at the Musée d'Orsay -

http://www.lefigaro.fr/culture/2018/01/30/03004-20180130ARTFIG00160-facebook-juge-en-france-jeudi-pour-avoir-censure-le-tableau-l-origine-du-monde.php

There are times when I really do wish I were French....

.

Reading the comments under the linked article makes me grateful for having been taught French!

[Ferretfancy]

Why does the painting have to be removed in order to initiate debate? By all means have the discussion and encourage the public to voice opinions, as happens in good exhibitions as a matter of course, but in my view removing it puts a layer of perception(possibly false) on the matter which wouldn't otherwise exist - things hidden are tempting and attract attention.
What about Rubens' Rape of the Sabine? Unpleasant word, unpleasant narrative, why display it?
There are a great many works of art which are, frankly, either unpleasant viewing( for all sorts of reasons) or contentious(again for all sorts of reasons); I don't see that as a reason not to display them.

I suspect that the very people who are initiating this absurd debate are lovers of the work of Caravaggio, or listen to Gesualdo while conveniently forgetting that he was a murderer.

[DracoM]

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Or just weep with despair.