Art history boots (ctd.)

February 5 2018

Picture: Dr Marten

Regular readers will know that the bootmaker, Dr Marten, has a line in art history boots - William Blake and Hogarth have featured so far. But the addition of Turner to the boots has provoked discord among some, including Turner's descendants, particularly since the images in question have come from the Turner Bequest, which is housed at Tate Britain. Dalya Alberge in The Sunday Times reports that:

William Turner, who is descended from the artist’s grandparents, said: “It’s just not on. It does cheapen his works.” Jean Steward, another descendant, said she believed Turner would be shocked.

Ray Turner, also a family member, said: “You’ve got two of Turner’s masterpieces on some bovver boots, so they’re a bit of a contradiction.”

Julian Spalding, former director of museums and galleries in Glasgow, Manchester and Sheffield, said: “The Tate should have nothing to do with this. It’s nothing to do with increasing people’s understanding and enjoyment of Turner, which is the Tate’s mission and why the Tate is supported by public money.”

I'm all in favour, myself. I'm even tempted to buy a pair, if only to do my bit to help Tate break even on their image licensing operation.

If you want the full matching Turner homage set, then don't forget Louis Vuitton does the Turner handbag range (priced at up to £2,240). Louis Vuitton also used a Tate image, of Ancient Rome.

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