Museum Etiquette

For me, standing in front of a painting is like listening to a concert or attending a play. I try to meet the artist on his terms and I open myself to the work to discover its secrets. Most of all, I enjoy looking at paintings; it gives me intense pleasure.

So, if you see me rooted in front of a painting, please do not approach me, as a well-dressed woman did yesterday as I was studying a Chuck Close painting at the Cleveland Museum of Art, and ask “What do you think of that painting?”

My thoughts had just started to cohere when I was interrupted–shattered and scattered, those impressions will never be regained.

I don’t mean to be rude, but get off of my cloud.

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