Cubism and Abstract Art

Hand-drawn chart illustrating the development of modern-day art, c. 1936

Alfred H. Barr, Jr., founding Director of this Museum of Modern Art, penned when you look at the introduction into the catalogue for Cubism and Abstract Art (MoMA Exh. #46, March 2-April 19, 1936) the event was "intended as an historical survey of a significant activity in modern-day art." It absolutely was initial in a series of five events which were curated between 1936 and 1943 specialized in the key movements in modern art. The series in addition included Fantastic Art, Dada, Surrealism (MoMA Exh. #55, December 7, 1936-January 17, 1937) and Romantic Painting in the us (MoMA Exh. #246, November 11, 1943-February 6, 1944). This chart, hand-drawn by Barr, illustrates the historical development, currents and crosscurrents of contemporary art. It had been a working draft for the first type of the chart that would appear on the dust coat associated with the catalogue for Cubism and Abstract Art. Barr reworked the chart several times thereafter; he never ever considered it definitive.

The idea for exhibition stemmed from Barr's days as a form of art history trainer at Wellesley College, where he designed and taught a cutting-edge program in contemporary art. To a study of modern-day painting and sculpture, he added photography, structure, visual art, music and movie. At that time there was no precedent for such a course; it had been the very first of their sort at an institution of greater understanding.

Cubism and Abstract Art occupied all four flooring of Museum's gallery space at 11 West 53rd Street, in those days a five-story town house leased from John D. Rockefeller, Jr., spouse of founding Trustee Abby Aldrich Rockefeller. The exhibition included not merely painting and sculpture but additionally examples of photography, design, furnishings, styles for the movie theater, typography, posters, and films, for a total of nearly 400 artwork. Alexander Calder's A Mobile (1936) had been hung from a flagpole over the road entry. The opening associated with event ended up being delayed for just one week while Museum officials and Trustees debated with the usa Customs throughout the entry of nineteen abstract sculptures into the United States as art items loaned for the convention.