Spring Break
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Brandeis' trustworthiness in doubt
Rose Reactions | 2/3/09
Posted online at 2:38 AM EST on 2/3/09
To the Editor:
The bad news that keeps thundering out of Brandeis, especially the closing of the Rose Museum and the "need" to sell its unique contemporary collection, had ominous warnings when in 2007 a Childe Hassam Impressionist painting titled "Sunset at Sea," a gift of Mr. and Mrs. Monroe Geller, was deaccessioned because it "didn't fit the Rose's objectives," and sold at Christie's for $3.3 million. The raison d'être at that time was to raise funds for new acquisitions.
May one ask what was purchased in its stead?
The University is now is willing to give up the Rose and its entire collection. Will the end justify the means? This begs the question, "Who at Brandeis is the keeper of our trust?"
-Eunice M. Lebowitz Cohen, former Slide Librarian, Brandeis Fine Arts dept.
The bad news that keeps thundering out of Brandeis, especially the closing of the Rose Museum and the "need" to sell its unique contemporary collection, had ominous warnings when in 2007 a Childe Hassam Impressionist painting titled "Sunset at Sea," a gift of Mr. and Mrs. Monroe Geller, was deaccessioned because it "didn't fit the Rose's objectives," and sold at Christie's for $3.3 million. The raison d'être at that time was to raise funds for new acquisitions.
May one ask what was purchased in its stead?
The University is now is willing to give up the Rose and its entire collection. Will the end justify the means? This begs the question, "Who at Brandeis is the keeper of our trust?"
-Eunice M. Lebowitz Cohen, former Slide Librarian, Brandeis Fine Arts dept.
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