One aspect of the planned Maier Museum disposals that did not make it into my Wall Street Journal article (which is on Page D11 of today’s Personal Journal section), is the involvement of Christie’s auction house. It’s worth examining:
I usually don’t hold auction houses responsible for judging whether an artwork should be sold, so long as the consigned object is authentic and the seller has good title.
But, as I previously mentioned here, I was pleasantly surprised when Christie’s president, Marc Porter, said this to me during an interview I conducted at the auction house on Mar. 28:
We would counsel museums about what could be a norm in the culture with respect to the way in which cultural property is managed. And I think we’re an important voice in this. We have told institutions that their proposed method of deaccessioning was not something that we would recommend, and we have decided not to participate.
Are the planned sales of four paintings from the Maier Museum, to be conducted next month by Christie’s, in conformance with the “norm in the culture with respect to the way in which cultural property is managed”? The Association of Art Museum Directors and the College Art Association would argue not. And now the Association of College & University Museums & Galleries has added its voice to the groundswell of opposition to the sales. (Click link at the bottom for ACUMG’s full statement.)
How is it, then, that Christie’s “decided to participate”? (Since Oct. 1, I have repeatedly asked Porter, via Christie’s head of public relations, for his views on this issue, but have received no reply, other than confirmations that my e-mail had been received.) I also wonder what Sotheby’s new rainmaker, Lisa Dennison, who had been a lifelong Guggenheim Museum professional, would now do if she were asked to consider a similar business opportunity involving the disregard of accepted art museum practice.
ACUMG’s Statement on Maier Museum Sales:
The Association of College and University Museums & Galleries (ACUMG), which represents over 400 institutions across the country, joins the Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD) in its statement of condemnation for the proposed sale of four paintings from Randolph College’s Maier Museum of Art in order to bolster the general endowment fund. Further, ACUMG also questions the methodology used to remove the works from the Maier Museum of Art.
Counter to the formal communications issued by the President’s Office at Randolph College, there has been little transparency in the discussions and no credence given to the recommendations given by arts and culture professionals engaged to advise the process. Such a position by the Trustees and the President significantly impact the ability of the Maier Museum of Art to be accreditable by the American Association of Museums (AAM). It also significantly compromises the future leadership of the museum since no credible professional would take a position with the knowledge that the permanent collection is viewed as a savior for fiscal issues affecting Randolph College.
Art and cultural collections – in the public trust under the aegis of academic museums – support the pedagogical program of the college’s mission. Thus, the value of a Randolph College education has been compromised by this decision. Such an action is counter to the ethical and professional standards established by the museum field and sets a dangerous precedent that threatens the viability and integrity of all university collections.
We stand ready to help the institution navigate this issue which has an impact that is greater than the perceived economic benefits.
On behalf of the ACUMG Board of Directors and Membership
Lisa Tremper Hanover
President