"Whose Muse" is a book which looks at the role of art museums in Western society and their rlationship with the public. There are six essays written by noteworthy directors of art museums.For me two of these stand out: "The Object of Art Museums" by Jams Cuno (Courtauld) and "Pictures, Tears, Lights, and Seats" by John Walsh (Getty Museum - LA). These two essays take the museum-goer through the experience of visiting an art museum, realizing that this is both educational and aesthetic. The way a museum shows a given room or an exhibition has considerable influence on ones experience. Whether or not the exhibitor juxtapostions pieces of art for a certain effect or statement is perhaps useful to know. For me it has been startling to see a certain theory of painting placement at the Barnes Foundation outside of Philadelphia, but it was a revelation to see one painting looking at reflecting another at the Frick Collection in New York. Some ideas discussed in the book include what size of attendance is acceptable for a good enjoyment of an exhibit, how lighting and seating help us to enjoy what we are looking at, the tension between philanthropy and commerce, what makes up "success," and so forth. A valuable book. ( )