Pre-Raphaelite News
Published on February 6, 2018
The Manchester Art Gallery recently took down John William Waterhouse's "Hylas and the Nymphs", claiming that the removal was meant to "prompt conversation about how we display and interpret artworks".
Visitors left post-it notes on the wall in response to the removal and the work was later reinstalled.
The gallery claims that taking down the painting was part of a modernist project by contemporary artist Sonia Boyce who will be holding a solo show in the gallery next month. Its filmed removal was part of Boyce's project. "The painting's short term removal from public view was the result of a 'take-over' of some of the gallery’s public spaces by gallery users and performance artists last Friday January 26th."
We encourage our viewership to post their opinions about the removal of one of history's greatest masterpieces. Let the museum know your feeling.
