The Metropolitan Opera is considering selling its two iconic Marc Chagall murals, 'The Sources of Music' and 'The Triumph of Music,' which have been appraised at $55 million. The institution's general manager, Peter Gelb, has proposed a sale with the condition that the buyer agrees to leave the works in place at Lincoln Center, with a donation plaque.
The potential sale highlights the severe financial pressures facing major performing arts institutions, forcing them to monetize non-core assets. The murals have already been used as collateral for loans for over 15 years, and the Met's latest loan comes due in October, raising the possibility of a forced sale if the debt cannot be repaid. This situation underscores the blurring lines between museum ethics and institutional survival, as organizations leverage valuable art for financial liquidity.