Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
A four-volume celebration of one of America's most influential gallerists, with rarely seen letters, ephemera and photographs
Julien Levy (1906-81) is best remembered today as the art dealer who brought Surrealism to the United States. His eponymous New York City gallery (1931-49) was generally regarded as the place to view cutting-edge work by such artists as Eugene Berman, Salvador Dal , Max Ernst, Arshile Gorky, Frida Kahlo and Pavel Tchelitchew. This four-volume set gives readers an uncensored, insider's view of Levy, the artists he represented and the influence he wielded during the 1930s and 1940s. Volume one presents a biography of Levy, including a comprehensive exhibition chronology and the evolution of Levy's career during his 18 years as an art dealer. Volumes two, three and four contain a catalogue raisonn of the Julien Levy Gallery, with chapters discussing each of the approximately 230 solo and group exhibitions held there, as well as in-depth information and insights into the lives and careers of the artists represented by Levy. The authors have incorporated copious new information about the workings of the gallery, allowing them to clarify or correct statements made in Levy's 1977 Memoir of an Art Gallery and other publications. They have also uncovered some surprising new revelations concerning Levy and his interactions with his artists.