1878
London
The most powerful art critic in England had seen the painting.
John Ruskin
"I have seen, and heard, much of Cockney impudence before now;but never expected to hear a coxcomb ask two hundred guineasfor flinging a pot of paint in the public's face."
Nocturne in Black and Gold: The Falling Rocket200 guineas
The labour of two days —
is that for which you ask two hundred guineas?
No.
I ask it for the knowledge of a
LIFETIME.
"The labour of two days — is that for which you ask two hundred guineas?""No — I ask it for the knowledge of a lifetime."Ruskin v. Whistler, 1878
Whistler wins.
One farthing.
Ruskin pays court costs. Resigns the Slade Professorship. The painting goes to Detroit. The reply echoes for 150 years.
You're not paying for the hours.
You're getting the lifetime that makes the hours matter.
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