Theories of Modern Art - Review

Herschel B. Chipp's 'Theories of Modern Art: A Source Book By Artists and Critics' is an essential reference for anyone interested in the evolution of modern art. Nothing beats original sources: you can find out what the artists really said, not how the historians have misquoted them. I discovered that the oft-cited Futurist work, 'Nude Descending a Staircase' by Marcel Duchamp, had nothing to do with futurism - it was pure coincidence, he said, and he'd done the oil sketch for the painting the year before the futurist exhibition. He was more interested in the ides of cubism. Other letters add fascinating layers to the character of an artist: "But for my part I foresee that other artists will want to see color under a stronger sun, and in a more Japanese clarity of light." - Van Gogh, 1888

This article started out as an addition to Quotations on Art and Drawing but has now become a Review of Theories of Modern Art

More on Modern Art:
Visual Arts Movements (Modern art history chronology)
Vincent van Gogh
What is Modern Art?
MoMA NYC - plan a visit.