Letter from Donald Ellis to Minneapolis Star-Tribune
Minnesota, and quite possibly the world, is about to lose William-Adolphe Bouguereau's painting Bohémienne to auction (Star Tribune, April 13). It will be locked away or on display far from our eyes. The Minneapolis Institute of Arts in its shortsighted thinking will give up a small piece of itself, but a huge piece of its credibility. No one educated about art would sell this painting at any price.
With this sale, probably to a private collector, the only way to view it will be the little postcards the MIA gift shop will surely continue to sell. Please urge the MIA's officials not to do this to us and our fine museum.
Donald Ellis, Minneapolis
