Yes! And just imagine what the many millions spent on individual works could do if put into something like oh I don’t know teaching musical skills in state primary schools….
I've always wondered about these and always surprised when they manage to raise these amounts given it's absent for vital resources we need. I still remember the £45m that was raised to keep those two Titians in the country. The best way to acquire new works I've seen is the inheritance in lieu scheme which I support.
we do have quite a lot of this type of art to look at/ consume already and probably need to spend money showing what we have more imaginatively rather than buying more of it
It’s just dick-swinging, is it not, between these cultural fiefdoms, for whom financial concerns are mere mundane trivia to these self-appointed guardians of the nation’s, as you imply, stolen cultural touchstones?
And rather like our last little engagement over West End theatre prices, this seems to be rather similar in the sense that the many, through taxation, pay for the few to enjoy the riches which should, by all sensible agreement, belong to all of us. I know museums and art galleries in the UK are overwhelmingly free, and this painting will have to be saved, if saved it will be, by private and public donations, but I’ll bet the UK government will end up forking out something for it.
As I believe I’ve said before, art for art’s sake will always require money, and not for God’s sake, but for ours…both to acquire and consume.
PS Why did Thomas à Becket need so many little knick-knack boxes? Was he like some modern day footballer with their watch collections?
Thank you for your thoughtful post. BTW Becket ‘Chasses’ or caskets were all the rage in the 12th century…they contained a few bones ‘supposedly’ from the martyred Archbishop and were covered in jewels and Limoges enamel. Most of them (as here) have a description of the four knights dispatched by Henry II, dispatching Thomas.
Ah! So they were ‘keepsakes’ of the blessed Thomas for the devout? He must have had more bones than the rest of us if there were so many caskets to carry them in…!
My friend and I visited the store rooms of Kelvingrove Art Gallery last year. The lovely Botticelli the city bought decades ago was lurking there. Along with a Titian etc etc. if they were smart they would find some Texans who say they want to buy it and raise £10M
Yes! And just imagine what the many millions spent on individual works could do if put into something like oh I don’t know teaching musical skills in state primary schools….
EXACTLY
This is a crackingly good piece - thank you
Thanks so much Stephen!
I've always wondered about these and always surprised when they manage to raise these amounts given it's absent for vital resources we need. I still remember the £45m that was raised to keep those two Titians in the country. The best way to acquire new works I've seen is the inheritance in lieu scheme which I support.
Absolutely agree with this- it’s very funny to read but you make a serious point.
Thanks v much
Excellent point Rosie
Thanks v much. It is a major bee in my bonnet.
great stuff rosie
we do have quite a lot of this type of art to look at/ consume already and probably need to spend money showing what we have more imaginatively rather than buying more of it
Thanks so much!
Well, now that you put it like that, Rosie…ha-ha!
It’s just dick-swinging, is it not, between these cultural fiefdoms, for whom financial concerns are mere mundane trivia to these self-appointed guardians of the nation’s, as you imply, stolen cultural touchstones?
And rather like our last little engagement over West End theatre prices, this seems to be rather similar in the sense that the many, through taxation, pay for the few to enjoy the riches which should, by all sensible agreement, belong to all of us. I know museums and art galleries in the UK are overwhelmingly free, and this painting will have to be saved, if saved it will be, by private and public donations, but I’ll bet the UK government will end up forking out something for it.
As I believe I’ve said before, art for art’s sake will always require money, and not for God’s sake, but for ours…both to acquire and consume.
PS Why did Thomas à Becket need so many little knick-knack boxes? Was he like some modern day footballer with their watch collections?
Thank you for your thoughtful post. BTW Becket ‘Chasses’ or caskets were all the rage in the 12th century…they contained a few bones ‘supposedly’ from the martyred Archbishop and were covered in jewels and Limoges enamel. Most of them (as here) have a description of the four knights dispatched by Henry II, dispatching Thomas.
Ah! So they were ‘keepsakes’ of the blessed Thomas for the devout? He must have had more bones than the rest of us if there were so many caskets to carry them in…!
I think if they were all put together they would result in a large flock of chickens
Ha-ha…!
My friend and I visited the store rooms of Kelvingrove Art Gallery last year. The lovely Botticelli the city bought decades ago was lurking there. Along with a Titian etc etc. if they were smart they would find some Texans who say they want to buy it and raise £10M