A masterpiece of high art versus…hair

Two days ago, The Daily Dartmouth reported on the Hood Museum of Art’s recent purchase of the 1756 portrait of the Earl of Dartmouth, William Legge. What The D did not report, however, was the cost of this esteemed portrait by the artist Pompeo Batoni; according to Sotheby’s, this portrait was added to the Hood’s permanent collection for a mere £356,000 (about $712,000)—which is less than one half of cost of the temporary hair “art” hanging in Baker Berry.