This volume celebrates the scholarly and curatorial vision of Kirk Varnedoe (1946-2003). As Chief Curator of Painting and Sculpture at The Museum of Modern Art, N.Y. Varnedoe was one of the most distinguished curators in the United States, and as Professor of Fine Arts at New York University's Institute of Fine Arts, a famously dynamic teacher. The nineteen essays, written by Varnedoe's most distinguished doctoral students (now noted art historians in their own right), highlight the wide range of subjects in 19th- and 20th-century art introduced in his pedagogy. Several derive from the collaboration of their authors with Dr. Varnedoe on major exhibitions at the Museum of Modern Art and elsewhere and offer new insight into these projects. The volume includes introductory essays by the editors and by Varnedoe's colleagues Robert Storr and Robert Rosenblum as well as a full bibliography of Varnedoe's writings.

’The book is a strong contribution to art historical scholarship and a testament to the lasting impact of this esteemed curator and distinguished faculty member. Recommended.’ Choice

Patricia G. Berman is Professor of Art at Wellesley College, USA.

Gertje R. Utley is an independent scholar.