Light criticism
Sir: 'I do not know whether mixed-purpose museums find it difficult to approach the complicated task of showing paintings as professionally as out-and-out galleries can, but here once again a striking exhibition seemed inadequately lit and supervised,' writes Mr Auty in his review of the Paul Nash exhibition at the Imperial War Museum (14 May). I am puzzled by these remarks. Perhaps Mr Auty imagines that my staff and I are only part-time curators and that we spend half the week shifting tanks or dusting the Spitfire? As we all have an art training of one kind or another we find nothing 'difficult' in approaching the 'complicated task of showing paintings' — it's our job, and I am prepared to bet that we have considerably more experience of this than Mr Auty has.
He may not like our present colour scheme (a dramatic and satisfying black) but that is a matter of taste. As for the lighting, we take especial care in this area of gallery design; the fittings are sophisti- cated and the range and brilliance of light can be adjusted by the use of different types of light bulb. If his complaint is that the light level is not high enough then he is
sadly out of touch with conservation re- quirements for works of art on paper, which constitute a large part of this exhibi- tion. Oddly, the distinguished art critic of another national weekly has specifically praised the lighting in the gallery.
Angela Weight
Keeper of the Department of Art, Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Road, London SE1
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