Making Modernism: Picasso and the Creation of the Market for Twentieth-Century Art

by Michael C. Fitzgerald

Artists don't achieve financial success and critical acclaim during their lifetimes as a result of chance or luck. Michael FitzGerald's assiduously researched book documents Picasso's courting of dealers, critics, collectors, and curators as he established his reputation during the first forty years of the twentieth century. FitzGerald describes the care, patience, and resourcefulness invested by Paul Rosenberg, Picasso's dealer and close collaborator from 1918 to 1940, in building the financial value and public acceptance of Picasso's art. The book is based on and quotes generously from previously unpublished correspondence between Picasso and dealers, collectors, and museum curators.

Genres: Art, Art History

324 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1994

Reviews

[Matteo Cordero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Making Modernism is an unprecedented study of the relationship that Picasso had with his main interest and life’s goal: success in the art market. Picasso developed a close relationship with his collectors and dealers, he was born with a great talent for marketing and social relations and that’s what helped him become the notorious Picasso. In this book, FitzGerald describes all these aspects with an investigator precision which makes it a brilliant study of the art market.
In some parts, this book can be a bit boring but this is, however, a must-read book for any insider of the art world.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

learned about how art dealers and museum directors worked together to curate Picasso shows

[Bill Forsyth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for any artist striving to make a living creating art. Shows the herculean and long effort it cost one businessman to establish Picasso in the marketplace.