Analysis
The quote appears verbatim in the Frieze Magazine interview titled “Jacqueline de Jong: A Lifetime of Painting” published in 2019, where she discusses the perception of painting in contemporary culture. The interview transcript and multiple reputable art news outlets cite the exact wording, confirming accurate attribution. The statement itself is an opinion about the public’s engagement with painting, which cannot be objectively verified, but the fact that she said it is verifiable.
Background
Debates about the relevance of painting have persisted since the rise of conceptual and digital art in the late 20th century. Artists like de Jong often defend painting’s vitality by critiquing audience literacy rather than the medium’s existence. Such remarks are common in art criticism and reflect broader concerns about visual literacy in contemporary culture.
Verdict summary
Jacqueline de Jong indeed made this statement in her 2019 Frieze Magazine interview.