register with time?

[pdh0224]

Dear teacher,

"Great pictures - even if they aren't a van Gogh 'Sunflowers' or a Monet 'Water Lilies' that the public understands - nonetheless are ones that register with time,'' he said. "Once people see this they will recognize that this is a keystone of Western art.''

Q : I believe "register with time" mean for a long time , people have considered it great work of art. What do you think?

[Alan]

It's more like saying that it requires time for such paintings to 'register' with the public, i.e. become widely known. The expression is a little unusual, however.