Klimt Controversy

Gustav Klimt, Adele Bloch-Bauer I, 1907, Neue Galerie New York (Image via NYTimes)

That’s it. I NEED to go to the Neue Galerie. Actually, I’m glad I waited, because they’ve just opened a new exhibit devoted entirely to one of my favorite artists, Gustav Klimt. Anyway, the NY Times has an interesting article on the controversial decision of Ronald Lauder, one of the museum’s founders, to withhold much of the provenance information about his private collection. Though many American collectors prefer not to release any information about the artwork in their collection, it’s considered good museum manners to do so– and with Mr. Lauder in such a prominent museum-related role, many are surprised as to why he won’t just release it, especially because many of the works were jostled around in Nazi-era Europe, which makes his refusal seem the slightest bit suspicious. Personally, I think his argument is a little weak (“It’s my private collection… Would it be O.K. for people to see what dresses you have in your closet?”), but nonetheless it’s high time I get down to the Neue and see some Klimt. Review to come!

NYTimes: ‘Lauder’s Openness is Sought on Artwork.’ 10.18.07.
‘Gustav Klimt: The Ronald S. Lauder and Serge Sabarsky Collections’ from 10.18.07-06.30.08 @ the Neue Galerie, Fifth Ave. & 86th St.