The Collected Writings of Robert Motherwell

by Robert Motherwell, Jack Flam (Foreword), Stephanie Terenzio (Editor)

This book brings together a representative selection of Robert Motherwell's writings about art, public lectures, essays, interviews, and letters. Motherwell's writing was invaluable in articulating the intent of the New York School of American artists-Pollock, de Kooning, Gottlieb, Kline, Baziotes, Still, Gorky-during a period when their work was often reviled for its departure from traditional representation. Motherwell was not only the primary theorist of abstract expressionism but also one of its major exponents. As founder of the Documents of Modern Art series (later renamed The Documents of Twentieth-Century Art), he gathered the writings of modern artists to give them a voice at a time when very few people understood their theories or work.

Genres: Art, Essays

370 pages, Paperback

First published January 14, 1993

Reviews

[tallulah · Rating 5 out of 5]

my favorite art theory book to date

[Aurelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The more I learn about Motherwell the more infatuated I become. I initially started reading this book to pull quotes and I found that there was no shortage of thought-provoking and insightful excerpts. Unlike many other abstract expressionists, I found Motherwell’s writings to be very approachable and easy to resonate with. I feel like I really got to know Motherwell through his writing and though he sometimes prone to tangents, his self awareness and passion endeared me to him. I will admit I skipped around a bit, but I liked this format that allowed you to read what most interests you. I don’t think I would’ve read this if it weren’t for my internship but I’m very glad I did.

[Mark Desrosiers · Rating 3 out of 5]

As far as I can tell, this was the only great painter who acquired the ability to write eloquently about his art. And actually I'm not sure if he was "great" -- I just adore his Elegies to the Spanish Republic wherever I encounter them. Smart guy, great promoter of that fifties abstract NYC aesthetic (lots of which I still dig), fully politicized, fun to read.

Any suggestions for other painters who are also great writers (or at least fun to read)?