Art: Artist to Consumer

Four years ago a black-haired, effervescent young Manhattan pressagent noticed that, while contemporary art was getting national publicity, it had no national market. He mentioned this to several artists: Peggy Bacon, Thomas Benton, John Steuart Curry, Doris Lee. All agreed that Manhattan's 57th Street galleries were about as remote as Tiffany's from most U.S. followers of art. Upshot of their counsels was an organization called the Associated American Artists. The young pressagent, Reeves Lewenthal, raised $10,000 to start on, and his artist friends made etchings and lithographs to sell at $5 apiece.

After...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!