Exhibiting Contradiction
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)