Overview

In Exhibiting Contradiction, a leading scholar considers the way art museums have depicted--and continue to depict--American society and the American past. In closely focused and often controversial essays, Alan Wallach explores the opposing ideologies that drove the development of the American art museum in the nineteenth century and the tensions and contradictions characteristic of recent museum history.

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9781558491182

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Reviews

""For trustees, philanthropists, and cultural policy makers willing to invest the intellectual effort, reading these powerfully presented essays will pay dividends, for they provide the essential historical background to the persistent questions about the purpose, social value, and future direction of the art museum in America.""--Winterthur Portfolio ""An interesting exploration of just how far the museum has changed since its 19th century role as 'preservator of the arts.' Required reading for artist and/or artlover.""--Art Times ""Wallach's points are in general well taken and always interesting. Clear enough for undergraduates and theoretically rich enough for senior scholars, this enjoyable book should be of interest to a wide audience.""--Journal of American History ""In a series of focused studies spanning a century and a half, Wallach illuminates key episodes in the ideological formation of the American art museum and the role of museums in shaping our perception of art. Whether one agrees or disagrees with the author, he makes a strong argument for the centrality and enduring symbolic power of the museum in our culture.""--Andrew McClellan, Tufts University ""These powerful essays casat new light on the history of both art and museums in nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century America. The collection will be of interest to a wide range of scholars, museum professionals, and lay readers.""--Kenneth Myers, New Jersey Historical Society

For trustees, philanthropists, and cultural policy makers willing to invest the intellectual effort, reading these powerfully presented essays will pay dividends, for they provide the essential historical background to the persistent questions about the purpose, social value, and future direction of the art museum in America.--Winterthur Portfolio An interesting exploration of just how far the museum has changed since its 19th century role as 'preservator of the arts.' Required reading for artist and/or artlover.--Art Times Wallach's points are in general well taken and always interesting. Clear enough for undergraduates and theoretically rich enough for senior scholars, this enjoyable book should be of interest to a wide audience.--Journal of American History In a series of focused studies spanning a century and a half, Wallach illuminates key episodes in the ideological formation of the American art museum and the role of museums in shaping our perception of art. Whether one agrees or disagrees with the author, he makes a strong argument for the centrality and enduring symbolic power of the museum in our culture.--Andrew McClellan, Tufts University These powerful essays casat new light on the history of both art and museums in nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century America. The collection will be of interest to a wide range of scholars, museum professionals, and lay readers.--Kenneth Myers, New Jersey Historical Society

For trustees, philanthropists, and cultural policy makers willing to invest the intellectual effort, reading these powerfully presented essays will pay dividends, for they provide the essential historical background to the persistent questions about the purpose, social value, and future direction of the art museum in America.--Winterthur Portfolio An interesting exploration of just how far the museum has changed since its 19th century role as 'preservator of the arts.' Required reading for artist and/or artlover.--Art Times Wallach's points are in general well taken and always interesting. Clear enough for undergraduates and theoretically rich enough for senior scholars, this enjoyable book should be of interest to a wide audience.--Journal of American History In a series of focused studies spanning a century and a half, Wallach illuminates key episodes in the ideological formation of the American art museum and the role of museums in shaping our perception of art. Whether one agrees or disagrees with the author, he makes a strong argument for the centrality and enduring symbolic power of the museum in our culture.--Andrew McClellan, Tufts University These powerful essays casat new light on the history of both art and museums in nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century America. The collection will be of interest to a wide range of scholars, museum professionals, and lay readers.--Kenneth Myers, New Jersey Historical Society

Author Information

Alan Wallach is Ralph H. Wark Professor of Art and Art History and professor of American studies at the College of William and Mary.

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