Guggenheim offers Trump Cattelan's golden toilet instead of van Gogh
The White House requested a Vincent van Gogh painting, Landscape With Snow (1888), from the Guggenheim Museum in New York for Donald Trump's private quarters. Curator Nancy Spector declined, citing the work's fragility, and instead offered Maurizio Cattelan's America, a fully functional 18-karat gold toilet. The sculpture, previously exhibited at the Guggenheim, is now available for long-term loan. Spector stated the piece is "extremely precious and somewhat fragile" and offered installation instructions. Cattelan, who created the work before Trump's presidency, cryptically commented on the situation. The White House has not yet responded to the counteroffer.
Key facts
- The White House requested van Gogh's Landscape With Snow from the Guggenheim in September 2017.
- Curator Nancy Spector declined due to the painting's fragility.
- Spector offered Cattelan's America, a gold toilet, as an alternative.
- The work is 18-karat gold and was installed in the Guggenheim's restroom.
- Cattelan's work is considered a satire on excessive wealth.
- Cattelan acknowledged Trump's affinity for gold may have influenced the offer.
- The White House has not yet responded to the counteroffer.
- The story was reported by the Washington Post.
Entities
Artists
- Vincent van Gogh
- Maurizio Cattelan
- Eugène Delacroix
- Mark Rothko
- Jasper Johns
Institutions
- Guggenheim Museum
- White House
- Smithsonian
- Washington Post
Locations
- New York
- United States
- Arles
- France