Has #METOO Gone Too Far? The Case Against Censoring Art

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With allegations of sexual abuse and harassment shaking up politics and the entertainment business, it was only a matter of time before accusations would surface in the fine art world. But what to do when the accused—in this case celebrated Polish-French painter Balthus—is dead and can't defend his work? 

Many of Balthus's paintings feature pubescent girls. He always denied allegations of pedophilia, but many see eroticism in these works, which some find disturbing, even creepy. Mia Merrill is among those people. She is the creator of an online petition asking New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art to take down one of those paintings, “Thérèse Dreaming” (1938).

“It is disturbing that the Met would proudly display such an image,” wrote Merrill, who described the painting as “an evocative portrait of a prepubescent girl relaxing on a chair with her legs up and underwear exposed...It can be strongly argued that this painting romanticizes the sexualization of a child.”

The Met, by the way, has owned the painting since 1998. Also, it has no plans to take it down. Kenneth Weine, a spokesman for the museum, told Newsweek in an email that “moments such as this provide an opportunity for conversation, and visual art is one of the most significant means we have for reflecting on both the past and the present, and encouraging the continuing evolution of existing culture through informed discussion and respect for creative expression.”

Merrill's petition, which garnered more than 9,000 signatures, said it does not necessarily call for the work to be “censored, destroyed or never seen again," it should simply be removed from the gallery or accompanied by a line such as “some viewers find this piece offensive or disturbing, given Balthus' artistic infatuation with young girls.” She went on to say that, in displaying the painting, "The Met is, perhaps unintentionally, supporting voyeurism and the objectification of children."

Even with the "perhaps," that's a harsh accusation. “The idea that this painting suggests that the Met supports, on some institutional level, an unhealthy sexualization of young women misunderstands the role of a cultural institution,” Nora Pelizzari, a spokeswoman for the National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC), told Newsweek. “Attacking art is counterproductive to the open discussion necessary for us to confront the realities of sexual harassment and abuse,” the NCAC had said in an earlier statement. 

The anti-censorship organization applauded the Met's decision to keep the painting on view. To their mind, said Pelizzari, “Hiding potential sexualizaiton of young girls thorughout histroy does not help...the current conversation around sexual harassment.”

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