How, When, and Why Modern Art Came to New York

by Marius Dezayas, Marcus de Zayas

An indispensable addition to a modern art library tracing de Zayas's and Stieglitz's influence on the New York art world beginning as early as 1915. Though it seems inconceivable that Picasso, Giorgio de Chirico, Rodin, or Matisse ever had to be "introduced," they were in fact presented to American society and de Zayas's essays and commentary are credited with providing the intellectual foundation with which to understand and appreciate these artistic developments. Editor Naumann has done a fine job constructing several appendices detailing exhibition information, correspondence, and press reviews. The photograph selection is well-considered and features some representations of work which has been lost or destroyed. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Genres: Art

272 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1996

Reviews

[Analu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book..I keep checking it out from the Library to read the correspondence between Mr. Zayas and Mr. Stieglitz. A good insight to their often overlooked friendship. Mr. Zayas was highly influential to Stieglitz and was the very reason for him creating a "Modern" gallery aside from "291". The letters back and forth are intimate, refreshing and enlightening. He was/is considered one of the first writers to attempt to explain the modern movement as it unfolded. A goodread for those interested in Modernism in NYC/US from the beginning and through the eyes of Mr. Zayas. Why the 4 stars instead of 5 if I liked it so much? Mostly because if I am not mistaken the book was published in 1998 way after Mr. Zayas passed on. Check out an out of print catalog called "Conjurer of Souls" that goes further in depth into his life. There is this other magazine I am trying to hunt down that digs even deeper but it is extremely rare. I will keep you all posted :o) oh and if you are down to do further research on him like I, the Harold Washington Library has the Camerworks archives (repros) and I have found plenty of Mr. Zayas' contributions to this magazine. Wonderful works. I think he and I would understand one another quite a lot...

[sslyb · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an odd book. It consists of notes by author de Zayas and transcriptions of articles form newspapers at the time of the works were shown. It provides a contemporaneous record of modern art presented in America (NYC) between 1905 and 1919. Also included is the correspondence between de Zayas and Stieglitz.