County Asks to Restore Controversial Nude Painting to Marin Civic Center Exhibit

Marin County officials asked the Marin Arts Council to reinstall an oil painting of a female nude in the Civic Center building after it was removed two weeks ago following an employee complaint, according to county authorities.

The painting, by San Rafael artist Sylvia Cossich Goodman, shows a woman seated on a chair, facing front with her legs slightly open. Goodman was asked to remove the piece after an employee complained that the artwork was offensive for the workplace, according to Deputy County Counsel Renee Brewer.

“The County of Marin must balance its employees’ rights to be free from a hostile work environment with the artists’ freedom of expression under the First Amendment,” Brewer said. “Upon further review, and in balancing these rights, the County of Marin has offered to restore Ms. Goodman’s painting to the exhibition.”

Marin Arts Council Executive Director Argo Thompson said he was happy “a solution was found that serves everyone.”

But no one was more happy than Goodman upon hearing the news.

“Art is supposed to stir emotion, otherwise it’s just flat colors on a wall,” she said. “[The painting] could be hanging in anyone’s living room, and she’s not accosting anyone.”

Goodman, who was raised in Italy, said she felt surprised and insulted when she heard about the complaint. To her, the painting is powerful because of the attitude and the emotion of the model, not because of the nudity. 

In Europe, she said, nudity can be found in paintings and sculptures everywhere, even churches. “Look at the Sistine Chapel,” she said. “Everyone’s naked up there.”

The exhibit featured nude works other than Goodman’s.

Chief Assistant County Administrator Mona Miyasato apologized for the negativity the artist or art-lovers encountered because of the controversy.

“Hopefully, this discussion can raise awareness about the importance of art, but also how we can respect other people’s opinions and sensitivities – be they related to gender, culture or other differences,” Miyasato said.