13 Comments
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Sam Kidd Shelton's avatar

Thoroughly enjoyed this one. Thank you!

BBJ's avatar

Perhaps the most breathtaking article you’ve written — not only about the missing masterpieces but what we can and should do for ourselves to take in what we can, how we can, when we can. Last week, in Rome, I stood in front of some pieces that, indeed, took my breath away. Last year, as well, in Paris. The moments never fail to move me in ways that nothing virtual ever could. There is nothing like a moment, between you and the creator. Thanks for these articles.

Postcards from Heck's avatar

I've seen the empty frames at the Gardner. So eerie.

3musesmerge's avatar

“When you stand in a museum, you are reading that third book, the one a civilization writes in paint: the record of how people saw the world, and what they felt about being alive in it.”

15 years ago the sentence above would have been upgraspable by me. Ten years ago I started writing and painting and my entire worldview has turned topsy-turvy.

How cool is that?! 😎

Thank you for your effort in sharing and teaching!

Cara Wakefield's avatar

I'm still telling from the theft at the Louvre. Napoleon's jewels, honestly! It beggars belief they were guarded so haphazardly. Thefts of great artwork such as these, are crimes against humanity.

Monica DuClaud's avatar

Thank you James! I had never considered art from the perspective of its disappearance. Not in the way you invited us to do with this story. It's not only the art piece itself, but its absence and what its absence means that I found so moving.

Monica DuClaud's avatar

Thank you James! I had never considered art from the perspective of its disappearance. Not in the way you invited us to do with this story. It's not only the art piece itself, but its absence and what its absence means that I found so moving.

Kim Tucker's avatar

I deeply thank you for this. I was moved to tears.

Brian Newman's avatar

Very educational ( and sad )

BBJ's avatar

Help … I am not seeing the 12th apostle/13th figure … aside from Christ, I see 12 other figures. Are you saying there are 14?

Carolyn's avatar

Magnificent and tragic....

JACk's avatar

Beautifully written. Thank you.

Heidi Dewoskin's avatar

This is a fantastic offering ! I love this substack and am so grateful to have been an art history major.