Art and Activism Projects of John and Dominique De Menil Josef Helfenstein, Laureen Schipsi

This lavishly illustrated book is the first to examine the significant contributions of John and Dominique de Menil to art, architecture, and the civil and human rights movements. The de Menils, who moved to Houston from France in 1941, amassed one of the world's great private art collections and became passionately involved in the cause of human rights.The volume includes a discussion of the building of the de Menils' art collection; their patronage of modern architecture in Houston; their embrace of modernism; their leadership in Houston's civil rights movement and in human rights projects worldwide; their commissioning of works of art and catalogue raisonnes; and their establishment of the Rothko Chapel, the Menil Collection, the Cy Twombly Gallery, the Dan Flavin Installation, and the Byzantine Fresco Chapel Museum. Vintage photographs, many taken by Henri Cartier Bresson, previously unpublished correspondence with artists, and an illustrated chronology all add to this textured tribute to the de Menils' extraordinary achievements.

Josef Helfenstein is director of The Menil Collection. Laureen Schipsi is publisher at The Menil Collection.

"A lavish tribute... This model foundation publication documents and honors the de Menils' significant contributions. Recommended for those interested in modern avant-garde art and patronage."—Russell T. Clement, Library Journal

"Multi-authored, brilliantly illustrated"—Burlington Magazine

Page spreads