The Devil and Dr. Barnes: Portrait of an American Art Collector

by Howard Greenfeld

Albert Coombs Barnes, one of the most eccentric, controversial figures of the early twentieth-century art world, springs vividly from the pages of Howard Greenfeld's superb biography. The Devil and Dr. Barnes traces the near-mythical journey of a man who was born into poverty, amassed a fortune through the promotion of a popular medicine, and acquired the premier private collection of works by such masters as Renoir, Matisse, Cézanne, and Picasso. Ostentatiously turning his back on the art establishment, Barnes challenged the aesthetic sensibilities of an uninitiated, often resistant and scoffing, American audience. In particular, he championed Matisse, Soutine, and Modigliani when they were obscure or in difficult straits. Analyzing what he saw as the formal relationships underlying all art, linking the old and the new, Barnes applied these principles in a rigorous course of study offered at his Merion foundation. Barnes's own mordant words, culled from the copious printed record, animate the narrative throughout, as do accounts of his associations with notables of the era--Gertrude and Leo Stein, Bertrand Russell, and John Dewey among them--many of whom he alienated with his appetite for passionate, public feuds. In this rounded portrait, Albert Barnes emerges as a complex, flawed man, who--blessed with an astute eye for greatness--has left us an incomparable treasure, gathered in one place and unforgettable to all who have seen it.

Genres: Art, Biography, Nonfiction, History, American

377 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 1987

Reviews

[Lindsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF - 50%.

Anyone who knows me will tell you I have a fascination not only with Impressionist art, but particularly with the Barnes Foundation, the largest collection of Impressionist art in the world. I have visited the Foundation several times in Center City, and could easily spend hours getting lost among the numerous delights of Monet, Matisse, and Renoir each time. After watching the documentary, "The Art of the Steal," I was so excited to sink my teeth into a bit more information about the enigmatic Albert C. Barnes -- rotten genius/mastermind behind the collection, and behind the invention of Argyrol -- but this biography just went on a bit too long for my taste. I've finally decided, about halfway through, to move on to other books on my 2021 list.

For those who want ALL of the ins and outs of Barnes' life, this may well be a great book for you. For me, it was just a bit more information than I actually wanted.

[Ethnea Ferguson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I found the book very interesting - I really knew nothing about Dr. Barnes - so it was very informative. He was so full of vitriol - that it began to wear on me - he would lash out viciously against people who were merely submitting simple requests to view the paintings. He could have just refused the request without all the drama. You really wonder why a person of immense wealth , a stunning collection of artwork, a beautiful home in a lovely neighborhood - would harbor such anger? He treasured his collection - did he not understand that other people would enjoy viewing the collection as well? Now I would like to read about the decision and the process of moving the Barnes to it's new location in Philadelphia.

[Shirley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A thoroughly unique person. Basically I don't think he would have been on a friend list.

[Fran · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a very detailed biography of this great collector who was an extremely difficult, controversial man and a history of what ultimately became a public museum. I would have liked a chapter that looked closely at his collection. This book was on a recommended trip for an art tour to Philadelphia.

[David Elizardi · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you care about the Barnes Foundation and the man behind it, this is a must read.
Well researched, without help from the Foundation!
Thorough, fast-paced and tells us about Dr. Barnes, his methods, genius, warts and all.

[Sam Motes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read in preparation for a visit to Barnes Foundation tomorrow. Very passionate art collector who was brash and stood for his beliefs. Love him or hate him he certainly had a love for art and collected an amazing collection.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish the author had provided a detailed bibliography...he did make cites as he went in the narrative, but that is a difficult method to follow if you want to fact check and always makes me suspicious.

Nonetheless, while not brilliant, it was an easy and interesting narrative to follow. The subject was a great one, however, as the book I read was copyrighted 1987, much has happened since it left off including the fact that the entire Barnes collection is now being moved from Merion to downtown Phili (see the documentary "The Art of the Steal"). My big regret is I didn't read this book when I first picked it up in a used book store 2 years ago...if I had, I would have made the trip to see the Barnes collection at Merion.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Greenfeld has thoroughly researched his topic and fills his book with anecdotes and primary excerpts. This book does read as journalistic sensationalism, at times exhaustingly, but altogether it is an enjoyable read.

[Jennifer Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating book about a fascinating, larger-than-life character in the history of art!

[Myra Leysorek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gossipy fun