THE MONTREAL MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS AND A HISTORICAL MOMENT

             



THE MONTREAL MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS AND A HISTORICAL MOMENT 
By Bernard Bujold - The newspaper LE DEVOIR publishes an excellent editorial (Friday, July 17, 2020) that is a comprehensive look at the dramatic and historical situation that is currently unfolding at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and the editor of the newspaper is right when he writes that "... The case could be summed up by an executive director who was leading the way against a backdrop of a toxic climate and a chairman of the board who wanted to lead the way beyond it...". 
The debate is totally polarized, and while several employees seem to be on the side of the Board of Directors; the general public, the Museum's user members (subscribers) and several leaders of other museums in Quebec and France seem to be unanimous and united in their support for the fired Director, Nathalie Bondil. Several directors of the major museums in France officially take a stand in favour of Nathalie Bondil and express their shock at her dismissal by the Board of Directors in an article published this Friday, July 17 in the magazine L'HEBDO DU QUOTIDIEN DE L'ART. In addition, the Musée d'Orsay has put an end to all collaboration with the MBAM, including an exhibition project scheduled for 2021, which has been cancelled. 
For its part, the Board of Directors of the Montreal Museum is trying to rally the public and is in panic mode! Indeed, the Chairman of the Board, Michel de la Chenelière, wrote an urgent letter to the members-friends of the Gallery asking them to support him in his dismissal of Nathalie Bondil, begging the members for support. We will have to see the reaction of the members, but many are energetically active to obtain La Chenelière's resignation from the position of President and many have mentioned on social media that they have responded negatively to the call of the letter. 
It can be said that the Museum of Fine Arts is living a historic moment as it is scheduled to celebrate its 160th anniversary in 2020. Will this anniversary be the beginning of a sad and moribund era in its history? It remains to be seen, but it is certainly a historic moment! 
To be continued. 

SEE EDITORIAL LE DEVOIR 

SEE STORY L'HEBDO DU QUOTIDIEN DE L'ART