We saw a magnificent art exhibit, The Impressionists in Paris, at the Folkwang Museum in Essen, Germany. It contained paintings from all over the world, including the National Galleries in both Washington and London, that showed views of Paris. My wife asked how they organize these exhibits – do they trade paintings, or what?
I don’t know the answer, but I can’t imagine that they trade – surely our National Gallery would have much more on offer than smaller museums like the Folkwang. If trading was standard, I don’t think a market would exist. So I assume the exhibiting museum pays. But how? Perhaps a percent of its gross – admission was $12/person, and it was very crowded. A fixed fee, sufficient to cover insurance, shipping and some profit for the owner? I would assume the latter, but I wonder how this market works? Or is there no single pattern?
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Dan,
I, too, have read the labels that show where the paintings “live” and wondered about the economics of bringing them together.
Transportation and insurance are increasingly expensive, and blockbuster exhibits typically have corporate sponsors. Some objects are too fragile to travel at all. The explanation that paintings travel to make them more valuable makes sense.
I wonder whether there’s a wealth effect of sorts. For example, Cleveland has only one Monet, and I’d imagine it’s a major city attraction. If the National Gallery wants to get the Cleveland Monet into its blockbuster, it might have to “pay” Cleveland more than it would if Cleveland were as wealthy in Monets as DC.
Thanks to all for this interesting discussion.