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I have wondered the same thing. For example, I was at the Musee d'Orsay last summer and was absolutely blown away by van Gogh's "Starry Night". It is stunning

I have wondered the same thing. For example, I was at the Musee d'Orsay last summer and was absolutely blown away by van Gogh's "Starry Night". It is stunning. But look at the picture the the d'Orsay's website [0]? "Drab" would be generous. On the other hand, I have seen a "Rembrandt" at a Japanese museum that has dubious provenance. The sign at the museum said that they were quite sure their's was real, but that an identical painting exists in an American museum and apparently nobody know's which one is the real one. Either way it was an amazing painting. In fact there is a museum in Otsuka which houses only replicas of famous works (which I really want to go to, but haven't been to yet). Skilled artists can make convincing replicas. If someone wants to pay $140 million for a painting, it might be interesting if $50k were reserved for painting a replica to hang in a museum. However, I think the author is being a bit over the top anyway. As they even note in the article, that Picasso has been shown at exhibitions. [0] - http://www.musee-orsay.fr/en/collections/works-in-focus/search.html?no_cache=1&zoom=1&tx_damzoom_pi1%5BshowUid%5D=4081 http://www.musee-orsay.fr/en/collections/works-in-focus/sear...

wtallis 12y ago
That link is a van Gogh reduced to a gif (two actually, as part of their obfuscation attempt) that's only 0.3MP. There wasn't much chance that the digital version would do it justice.
frandroid 12y ago
I've twice been to the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam and twice I've been totally bowled over, overwhelmed with emotion, esp. toward the end of his life paintings. You can't see the same thing in 2D.
- runamok 12y ago
  That was an amazing museum. I felt so lucky to have been able to visit.
  - mercer 12y ago
    One of my favorite experiences as far as museums are concerned! For anyone who might visit: be sure to take the (free) tour. My guide was actually one of the conservators(?) who, among other things, had traveled to inspect found/bought paintings for the museum. She was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about Van Gogh, which made the whole experience even better.

wtallis 12y ago

That link is a van Gogh reduced to a gif (two actually, as part of their obfuscation attempt) that's only 0.3MP. There wasn't much chance that the digital version would do it justice.

frandroid 12y ago

I've twice been to the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam and twice I've been totally bowled over, overwhelmed with emotion, esp. toward the end of his life paintings. You can't see the same thing in 2D.

runamok 12y ago
That was an amazing museum. I felt so lucky to have been able to visit.
- mercer 12y ago
  One of my favorite experiences as far as museums are concerned! For anyone who might visit: be sure to take the (free) tour. My guide was actually one of the conservators(?) who, among other things, had traveled to inspect found/bought paintings for the museum. She was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about Van Gogh, which made the whole experience even better.