This exhibition celebrates the recent gift from the Dedalus Foundation of prints by Robert Motherwell and books from the artist’s home donated by his family. An additional group of books that he kept in his studios will join the Library’s other historically important book collections. Motherwell’s passion for reading ran the gamut from literature and philosophy to art history, and he was an especially avid reader of poetry. He amassed a library of more than 4,000 books, many of which he annotated, in his home in Greenwich, Connecticut, where he moved in 1971.
His prints reflect his preoccupation with the subconscious, which was a touchstone of the Modernist movement. Artists such as Motherwell sought to capture the universal qualities of human experience by exploring their innermost thoughts and feelings, a project that the American Modernists inherited from the Surrealist movement following World War II. Motherwell, who lived and worked in New York for most of his early career, was critical in shaping the impact of American Modernism.
In addition to being a great artist, Motherwell was a respected teacher, critic, and editor. As early as 1944, he established the Documents of Modern Art series, which was an important contribution to the acceptance of Modernism in the United States.
The etchings, aquatints, lithographs, and screenprints on view showcase ways in which Motherwell’s range of imagery and subjects reflect his passion for reading. It is fascinating to see how the books that he cherished resonate in his art. This exhibition offers an enticing journey into who and what inspired one of the most influential visual artists of the 20th century.
This exhibition is organized by The New York Public Library and curated by Clare Bell, Miriam & Ira D. Wallach Associate Director for Art, Prints and Photographs.
Check back soon for more information!
