The House of Barnes

A beautifully written study of the extraordinary art collector and volatile personality Albert C. Barnes. The book places him in the context of his own era, shedding new light on the movements and ideas (about art collecting, education, and aesthetics) that shaped so much of his thinking. The Barnes' major holdings of post-impressionist and early modern art include more than 800 paintings, with a strong focus on Renoir (181 canvases), Cezanne (9), Matisse (59), and Picasso (46 paintings and drawings). In its entirety, it is the greatest single collection of such art that has remained intact. The last chapters of the book address the controversial events surrounding the Barnes Foundation's move to Philadelphia, including vehement opposition -- as well as strong support. There is an analysis of the Foundation's financial plight, a review of the major court cases over the decades, and a characterization of the fervent reactions following the court's decision to allow the move to take place. Illus.