Work of art with regard to monetary value and aesthetics

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Reference no: EM133855447

Question

This could be one of the most famous and controversial art legal cases in history. You be the judge. Read the following summary of the court case between artist, James McNeill Whistler, and art critic John Ruskin.

The case involved a charge by Whistler of libel against Ruskin for his critique of a painting, Nocturne in Black and Gold - The Falling Rocket as shown here.

It was one of a series of night scenes that Whistler had been working on and is of the Cremorne Gardens, London, depicting a fireworks display in misty night air. Ruskin the critic wrote and accused Whistler in his review, "...of asking two hundred guineas for flinging a pot of paint in the public's face."

During the trial Ruskin's attorney asked Whistler how long it took him to "knock off" a picture. Whistler said this one was completed in a day or two. And the attorney responded, "The labor of two days, is that for which you asked two hundred guineas?" To which Whistler responded: "No, I ask it for the knowledge I have gained in the work of a lifetime."

As a point of reference, in British money back then, a guinea was worth about 1.05 pounds which today would be about $1.50 so the approximate dollar value of Whistlers painting in the 1870's would have been approximately $300.

Whistler ultimately won his case for libel but was awarded only one farthing, or a quarter of a penny. Whistler later sold the same painting for 800 pounds (or about $993 in today's value).

Based on the summary of facts, consider taking the viewpoints of both Whistler and Ruskin

1. Was Whistler justified in charging the original amount of $300 for the painting based on his lifetime of knowledge, skills, and artistic experience even though it only took about one or two days to complete, why or why not, or

2. Was Ruskin justified for his critique of Whistler overcharging for the painting since it only took the artist a short amount of time to create, why or why not, and

3. What are the effects of time in creating a work of art with regard to its monetary value and aesthetics, and

4. Do you agree or disagree with the judgement of the case, and

5. Was the settlement of a quarter of a penny a fair one in Whistlers favor, why or why not?

Reference no: EM133855447

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