by Jon Lackman | 13 April 2006 | Uncategorized
A former art history student writes: “what kills me is that I wasn’t even snapping the [Sistine Chapel] ceiling when I got caught — I was getting a painting that most people probably just brush past but what was once on a slide exam and I knew I’d never forget it. I’m allowed to photograph that painting. Though not according to the plain-clothed guard (or maybe just some random jerk) who pointed me to the door. I was willing to accept that I’d broken a rule, but then he accused me of not having any respect. At this point, I turned around, Italian blazing, and gave him what for. No respect, my ass. I have MORE respect, I told him, than most of the people around me. I don’t have lapsed Catholic respect or tourist-in-a-famous-space respect, I’ve got ART HISTORIAN respect. I’ve EARNED this respect. I put my time in, man, I paid my dues in FAH274.”
