U.S. public art museums commonly boast that they are thronged. Their critics commonly reply that of course museums are thronged: most of what they show is free, while ball games, for example, cost real money. Last week came proof that Americans in big numbers are quite willing to pay well to see great art. The proof fell naturally to Pablo Picasso, art's biggest box-office draw. During May, nine Manhattan galleries joined to present a comprehensive showing of Picasso's work for the benefit of the Public Education Association. In the four weeks that the exhibition ran, more than 15,000 people paid $5...
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