“A museum official (or close relative) who loans an object to the museum for display then sells it after exhibition would likely earn an enhanced price for the object,” said Greg Stevens, director of the Institute of Museum Ethics at Seton Hall University. The bond between museums and wealthy collectors is one of the essential relationships of American museums. Without the generosity of such patrons museums could likely not afford the art that enhances the visitor experience. Mr. Salort-Pons said that was his ultimate goal when he implored the collector, Alan M. May, a retired real estate investor, to lend the El Greco. Praising its “dynamic image of ecstasy,” Mr. Salort-Pons said the work surpasses in quality the institute’s existing El Greco, “Madonna and Child,” which was donated in 1970 by a Detroit collector.

Source: New York Times July 15, 2020 19:18 UTC