Alfred H. Barr, Jr: Missionary for the Modern

by Alice Goldfarb Marquis

Illustrated with photos.

Genres: Biography, Art History, Nonfiction, Art

431 pages, Hardcover

First published December 31, 1989

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

So far this is very good historically. I have gained certain insights as to the development of Modern Art in America that I had perhaps been happily blind to - but maybe not. He was a very seminal figure in what to me is the identity of the 20th century, and that's no small shakes.

I finished it. As with many biographies, my interest dwindled. However, it's still a seminal story of modern art's identity.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book's first sentence immediately misleads readers about Barr's role at MoMA. Contrary to the author's claim, he did not in fact found or "open" the Museum of Modern Art. Rather, three women collectors (Abby Rockefeller, Lillie Bliss, and Mary Sullivan) founded the institution in 1929, and they hired Barr as the first director.
I was very disappointed in this book and I was also turned off by the author's (argumentative?) tone.