Introducing Rakewell, Apollo’s wandering eye on the art world. Look out for regular posts taking a rakish perspective on art and museum stories
Rules and restrictions designed to contain the spread of COVID-19 are changing rapidly, but Rakewell’s attention has been caught by the Italian government discouraging from hugging, kissing and shaking hands in public – and encouraging everyone to keep a metre away from anyone else in museums. Unfortunately, now that the quarantine restrictions are getting even stricter – at time of writing there is talk of a decree forbidding people to enter or leave Lombardy and other provinces including Venice and Padua until 3 April – museums are likely to be so empty that there will be no need for guards to get out their metre-rules.
Although Rakewell is always pleased to get a gallery to himself, he can’t help sparing a thought for more convivial connoisseurs – and the artworks they have inspired over the centuries.
Call the guards – there are far too many people in the Tribuna of the Uffizi.
A good turn-out for Jacques-Louis David makes for a crowd-control headache at the Louvre.
A reminder of what private views were once like…before they become a lot more private.
Got a story for Rakewell? Get in touch at rakewell@apollomag.com or via @Rakewelltweets.
Unlimited access from just $16 every 3 months
Subscribe to get unlimited and exclusive access to the top art stories, interviews and exhibition reviews.
Pilgrims’ progress? The Vatican Jubilee has frustrated Romans and tourists alike