Overview

A biography of René d'Harnoncourt, the Director of The Museum of Modern Art, New York, from 1949 to 1968. René d'Harnoncourt served as the Director of The Museum of Modern Art from 1949 to 1968, and was known for his conscientious approach to curating exhibitions and his genius for installation design and display. His interest in non-Western and non- Modern art shaped much of MoMA's ambitious programming in the mid-20th century: in addition to shows addressing modern art, such as The Sculpture of Picasso (1968) and Timeless Aspects of Modern Art (1948-49), he also organized exhibitions devoted to themes not usually associated with MoMA, including Indian Art of the United States (1941), Arts of the South Seas (1946), Ancient Arts of the Andes (1954) and Art of the Asmat: The Collection of Michael C. Rockefeller (1962). This publication delves deep into the MoMA archives to reveal d'Harnoncourt's mastery of installation through an essay by Michelle Elligott and an exploration of twelve of the exhibitions he organized at MoMA, each richly illustrated by d'Harnoncourt's own sketches - many of them previously unpublished - alongside installation photographs. A master draftsman, d'Harnoncourt produced meticulous sketches of installation vistas as well as the objects included in his exhibitions. An illustrated chronology of d'Harnoncourt's life rounds out the volume, detailing his multifaceted journey from birth as a Count into a landowning family in Austria, to his time as a commercial artist in Mexico, to his post working for Nelson A. Rockefeller in the U.S. State Department (Office of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs), which eventually led to his appointment at MoMA.

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9781633450509

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Reviews

d'Harnoncourt had a rare ability to engage deeply with objects across time, cultural specificity, and form.... a loving attention to the objects and paintings themselves that attempts to break down the cool touch of the museum.--Laura Raicovich Hyperallergic D'Harnoncourt was a gifted artist and collector.... His is one of the many stories of exceptional curators and museum directors that has been waiting to be told. Thanks to Elligott's artfully researched book we have a more informed understanding and appreciation of this famously amiable museum director and pioneer in museum installations.... a publication of striking originality and one worthy of its subject.--Kenneth Soehner ARLIS/NA Reviews Deeply researched and beautifully presented, Michelle Elligott's book on Rene d'Harnoncourt is an important contribution to the literature on the Museum of Modern Art and the development of contemporary exhibition-making. Documenting d'Harnoncourt's curatorial and installation practice through his writings and revelatory drawings, the book gives a fascinating picture of the life and thought of one of the most important curators and museum directors of the 20th Century.--Bruce Altshuler Director of New York University's Museum Studies Program

Deeply researched and beautifully presented, Michelle Elligott's book on Rene d'Harnoncourt is an important contribution to the literature on the Museum of Modern Art and the development of contemporary exhibition-making. Documenting d'Harnoncourt's curatorial and installation practice through his writings and revelatory drawings, the book gives a fascinating picture of the life and thought of one of the most important curators and museum directors of the 20th Century.--Bruce Altshuler Director of New York University's Museum Studies Program

Author Information

Michelle Elligott is the Chief of Archives, Library, and Research Collections at The Museum of Modern Art, New York.

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