Book Description
This book highlights a major gift to The Art Institute of Chicago's Department of Prints and Drawings from the Gecht Family Collection.
Graphic Modernism: Selections from the Francey and Dr. Martin L. Gecht Collection at the Art Institute of Chicago FROM THE PUBLISHER
This book celebrates the Gechts' gift of over thirty works to The Art Institute of Chicago, joining what has long been one of the most distinguished public collections of late nineteenth- and twentieth-century graphic arts in America. Showcasing the couple's bequest, Graphic Modernism is augmented by one hundred other examples from the family's important holdings. The Art Institute's staff worked closely with the Gechts in making selections for the museum that will fill lacunae and add strength to strength. In an informative introduction, Art Institute curator Suzanne Folds McCullagh relates the collection to the context in which it was formed. Each of the over 130 works included here is reproduced in full color, and is accompanied by an informative and accessible entry prepared by Art Institute staff and the Gechts' curator, Mark Krisco.
SYNOPSIS
This handsome catalogue was produced to accompany an exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago in 2003-2004. There is an essay about the Gechts' collection followed by a catalogue of 135 works on paper, each reproduced in full-page color plates. The lengthy catalogue entries were written by curators at the Art Institute. Prints predominate; there are also drawings and watercolors. The collection includes works by Cézanne, Degas, Gauguin, Max Beckmann, and Braque. It is notable for containing numerous works by Picasso and Matisse. Not indexed. Co-published by Hudson Hills Press. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
FROM THE CRITICS
Library Journal
This exhibition catalog highlights a recent gift of works on paper to the Art Institute of Chicago from the Gecht family, longtime Chicago collectors. The catalog comprises 135 drawings, prints, and sculptures from the collection, all of which embody a broad definition of Modernism. The book spans two centuries and contains artists such as Cezanne and Van Gogh as well as Mark Rothko and Philip Guston. Toulouse-Lautrec, Matisse, and Picasso form the backbone of the collection with nearly 30 works of art apiece. Suzanne Folds McCullagh (curator of prints & drawings, Art Inst. of Chicago) provides a short introductory essay that tracks the evolution of the collection. Authored by a bevy of contributors, the well-written entries maintain a consistent tone and quality and strike a good balance between biographical information and interpretations of the work of art itself. While the Gecht collection is certainly quite a boon for the institute, it is not comprehensive enough in itself to make the catalog essential for all art libraries. It does, however, belong on library shelves with strong modern art and graphics collections.-Kraig A. Binkowski, Delaware Art Museum, Wilmington Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
Art & Photography
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