One of the joys of art is that it never fails to spark debate. In that spirit, I always enjoy Jonathan Jones’s reviews, but I must disagree with his particular criticism that Tate has hidden its treasures (Don’t blame Maria Balshaw for Tate’s failings. Its lack of ambition goes much deeper, 12 December). Rothko’s Seagram murals were lent to a landmark exhibition in Paris last year, but they returned to Tate’s walls as soon as they arrived home. The UK’s greatest collection of Picassos is also proudly on display in its entirety at Tate Modern in a show that has already welcomed more than 100,000 visitors.
The much-loved greats – from Dalí to Duchamp, and Hepworth to Hockney – are not “out of view”. They are all there to be enjoyed, side by side with new discoveries, underappreciated gems and emerging talent.
Roland Rudd
Chair, Tate
