George Gershwin and Modern Art: A Rhapsody in Blue - Hardcover

Mattis, Olivia; McNeil, Courtney A.; Shelley, Alexander

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 178551539X ISBN 13: 9781785515392

Publisher: Scala Publishers Ltd, 2024

Synopsis

The composer, songwriter and pianist George Gershwin was deeply connected to modern art. On the centenary of his masterpiece ‘Rhapsody in Blue’, this striking book appraises his legacy as an artist in his own right, as a collector and as an inspiration to other artists. 

Before his untimely death at age 38, Gershwin produced numerous paintings, drawings and photographs. He was also an avid collector of modern art: his collection was one of the most significant of his day, with pieces by Picasso, Modigliani, Kandinsky, Chagall, Noguchi, Siqueiros and others. More recently, Gershwin’s music also inspired artwork by Miguel Covarrubias, Arthur Dove, Kara Walker, Andy Warhol and many others. This beautifully designed volume appraises these three elements of Gershwin’s artistic influence – as artist, collector and inspiration – as well as featuring select ephemera and correspondence from his artistic circle. It offers a tour through Gershwin's multifaceted visual dimension, expanding our understanding of the composer, his music and his impact on American cultural history.

About this title

About the Author

Dr. Olivia Mattis, guest curator, is an award-winning scholar and lecturer who received her PhD in musicology from Stanford University. She is also the president of the Sousa Mendes Foundation, a Holocaust remembrance organisation, honouring the hero who rescued her family from Nazi-occupied Europe.

Courtney A. McNeil is Museum Director and Chief Curator at Artis–Naples, The Baker Museum.

Alexander Shelley is the Sharon and Timothy Ubben Artistic and Music Director Designate of Artis―Naples in Florida.

From the Back Cover

This book is the first examination of George Gershwin’s engagement with modern art through his own artwork, his collection, and the art inspired by his music.

George Gershwin is widely known and beloved for his innovative work as a composer, songwriter, and pianist, but his passion and talents extended to the visual arts as well. Before his untimely death at age 38, Gershwin produced numerous paintings, drawings, and photographs.

His personal collection of modern art was one of the most significant of his day, including pieces by Pablo Picasso, Amedeo Modigliani, Vassily Kandinsky, Marc Chagall, Isamu Noguchi, David Alfaro Siqueiros, and others. Gershwin’s music also inspired artwork by Miguel Covarrubias, Arthur Dove, Kara Walker, Andy Warhol, and many others.

Featuring these three elements of Gershwin’s artistic influence, as well as select ephemera and correspondence from his artistic circle, this beautifully designed volume offers a tour through Gershwin’s multifaceted visual dimension, expanding our understanding of the composer, his music, and his impact on American cultural history.

Edition details

• Publisher: Scala Publishers Ltd
• Publication date: 2024
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 178551539X
• ISBN 13: 9781785515392
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 248