The Greatest Painting? What Does It Mean?

“What, exactly, does it mean to call a painting “great”, let alone the “greatest”? If greatness in art has any meaning it is at odds with an opinion poll that throws it open to the people’s choice. If greatness exists it must be objective and absolute and therefore not ours to vote for. Greatness suggests a world historical significance, a sublimity. It has nothing to do with competition.”