Up The Arts

This delightful and unexpected outburst occurs in the Epilogue of Robert Hughes new book Rome. Te Papa take note:

“Painting and sculpture are silent arts, and deserve silence (not phoney reverence, just quiet) from those who look at them. Let it be inscribed on the portals of the world’s museums: What you will see in here is not meant to be a social experience. Shut up and use your eyes. Groups with guides etc., admitted Wednesdays only, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Otherwise, just shut the fuck up, please pretty please, if you can, if you don’t mind, if you won’t burst. We have come a long way to look at these objects too. We have not done so to listen to your golden words. Capisce?”