OUT OF THE PICTURE
Victorian masterpiece of naked goddesses is pulled from Manchester Art Gallery in wake of Time’s Up movement
A VICTORIAN masterpiece that shows young, naked water nymphs seducing a man has been removed by an art gallery after concerns about its raunchy content.
Visitors hoping to see the pre-Raphaelite painting Hylas And The Nymphs will find a blank space, with a notice saying it’s hoped the absence will “prompt conversations” instead.
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The painting of a scene from Greek mythology, by John William Waterhouse in 1896, had hung in Manchester Art Gallery until last Friday – but critics say his work glorifies paedophilia and is akin to porn.
The gallery’s curator of contemporary art, Clare Gannaway, said recent feminist movements such as the Time’s Up and #MeToo campaigns – which demands an end to women being harassed and sexually objectified – had influenced the gallery’s decision.
She insisted it was not “about denying the existence of particular artworks” but said curators must think about how to interpret and display controversial historical works.
She added: “For me personally, there is a sense of embarrassment that we haven’t dealt with it sooner.”
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Art lovers were asked to give their opinion on the venue’s decision to remove the painting by writing down their thoughts on post-it notes and sticking them on to the now bare wall.
Comments include: “Where did you put my sexy booby woman painting?” and another saying: “I resent your restrictive, patronising format.”
The removal – and visitors’ reactions – is itself part of an artistic work and will feature in a solo show by artist Sonia Boyce in March.
The move has sparked wider criticism.
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Artist Michael Browne “I don’t like the replacement and removal of art and being told ‘that’s wrong and this is right’. They are using their power to veto art in a public collection.”
On Twitter Katherine Woolf wrote: “We can’t and shouldn’t try to erase the past.”
Dr Anna Maria Barry said it was “borderline offensive to conflate this cheap publicity stunt with important MeToo debates.”
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Others have responded more positively.
Melissa Gustin wrote: “I actually like the removal of the Waterhouse as a conversation starter. It feels like an attempt to engage in a current topic in a visible way.”
Rebecca Thomson added: “This is a brilliant way to engage your audience and initiatie discussion.”
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