ART
HELEN FRANKENTHALER: A PAINTINGS RETROSPECTIVE, Museum of Modern Art, New York City. In the '50s, Frankenthaler's lyrical washes of color had a decisive influence on abstract expressionism; today she ranks as America's best-known living woman artist. These 40 canvases from four decades show why. Through Aug. 20.
L'ART DE VIVRE: DECORATIVE ARTS AND DESIGN IN FRANCE, 1789-1989, Cooper-Hewitt Museum, New York City. Jewelry commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte, cutlery from Maxim's, art nouveau furniture and haute couture gowns are among 500 objects displayed in glittering tribute to France's bicentennial. Through July 16.
BOOKS
THE GOOD TIMES by Russell Baker (Morrow; $19.95)....