Selfie bans are gradually being reviewed to meet the expectations of an increasingly connected audience
Many art establishments are now reviewing their policy surrounding photography. Many art establishments are now reviewing their policy surrounding photography. Image: Shutterstock
There are few places more conducive to photography than museums. But some art establishments take a dim view of visitors snapping some of their prize pieces. However, these bans are gradually being reviewed to meet the expectations of an increasingly connected audience.
This change of heart is reflected in the Museo Reina SofĂa's new policy on "Guernica" (1937), by Pablo Picasso. For decades, the Madrid museum had forbidden its visitors from taking photos of the Spanish artist's gigantic anti-war painting. This precautionary measure was intended to protect the painting from camera flashes, but also to avoid leading to a mass of people armed with smartphones and selfie poles gathering in front of the artwork.
Such crowds are not without danger for visitors, but above all for the works they come to admire. For example, "La romerĂa de los cornudo" (1933) by Alberto SĂ¡nchez was damaged in June 2022 by a tourist trying to pose in front of this Reina SofĂa treasure. The artwork was partially torn, although experts from the museum's restoration department considered the damage to be minor.
But, at a time when more and more museums are relying on social media to boost attendance, they can no longer afford to forbid visitors from photographing the works of their choice—including "Guernica." That's why the Reina SofĂa museum is now allowing photos to be taken of, or in front of, the painting by Picasso, a measure effective as of September 1, according to Euronews. However, the museum continues to prohibit photography with flashes, tripods, selfie poles and "any other type of camera stand," according to the museum's regulations.
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