This is the letter that we sent to the museum
Sent: Wednesday, July 11, 2001 5:57 PM
Subject: Description error...
Dear Mr. Merling,
First, I would like to thank you for the outstanding job you have done
with the museum. I visited for my third time yesterday with a friend who is
visiting from Pennsylvania. It was the first time I've been back to the
museum since you became curator. I was very pleased, as was my friend,
to see so much more work available for viewing.
However, there was one item that greatly perplexed us...
In gallery 6 there is a painting by Jocopo called "Allegory of Fire".
The description for this painting refers to the Greek gods and then proceeds
to use the names of Roman gods! It refers to Vulcan and his wife, Venus.
Now, as two individuals who are extremely interested in Roman history and
mythology, it is inconceivable to us that a museum would make this
error!
Firstly, the Roman gods, though it is true they share some names and
similarities and DID adopt a few of the Greek gods and goddesses, are
NOT the same as the Greek gods.
Secondly, in Greek mythology, Hephaestus, the god of fire, WAS married
to Aphrodite, the goddess of love. In Roman mythology, Vulcan, the god of
fire, was NEVER married to Venus, the goddess of love.
So, not only is it wrong to use the Roman names, the situation itself is
wrong. If in fact, the painting is of the greek gods, then you should
use the Greek names in the description.
There is enough confusion as to whether or not Roman mythology is it's
own form, please do not make it more difficult by confusing the visitors to
your fine museum.
Thanks for listening (or is that reading?)
Sincerely,
Michael Larson Quevedo
This is the respond we got.
You are absolutely right thank you for drawing this to my
attention.Sometimes these errors do slip in. We will correct immediately.
Sincerely, Mitchell Merling
(PS Francoise please pull labels)