Customer Reviews

The Devil and Dr. Barnes

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I thoroughly enjoyed this book between hilarious episodes of unending laughter and looking at the picture of the author who could stand to compile all of this! This is not a detailed biography of Dr. Barnes but rather a focussed smear of all letters he wrote to people who agitated him. It seems if you left him alone, he was a nice person, but he defended himself and his art views when attacked. How reasonable! There is helpful information to a researcher but the author seriously fails to develop a thesis for all the material he gathered. For instance, noting that Charles Laughton was a frequent house guest and not commenting on what Elsa Lancaster had to say about him. Not putting the photographs in context with the times and story, as most of the ones provided were posed or journalistic productions. No original theories to solve any mysteries were proposed and no, absolutely NO references to fine art or how any of these controveries documented in era correspondence affected, for example, Matisse's development of the mural in the lobby, or how many Soutine's were purchased, or the specific focus of the Renoir collection. All of this is non-existent in this book, which makes this book useful only to someone who is interested in character assassination of philanthropists and who like a good laugh at the expense of other people's immaturity and lack of emotional development in cricital areas.

I had read this book several years ago, but lent it out and lost track of it. With the current controversy about moving the Barnes collection into Philadelphia, and especially with the movie "The Art of the Steal" circulating nationally, I wanted to reread and relend this excellent book. The value of this book is its thoroughness and its truly balanced portrayal of Barnes' personal and collecting history. Having been to the Barnes Foundation many times since 1964, I am certainly aware of the peculiarities of how that museum has treated the public, and I have heard gossipy stories of Albert Barnes' outrageous behavior. This book clarifies and documents that which is on record, and by neither protecting nor attacking Barnes, achieves the difficult goal of truly balanced understanding.

'Art, Education, and African-American Culture' by Mary Ann Meyers is a wonderful book to look into regarding the legacy of Dr. Barnes. The book is a beautifully written and accurately researched account, one of the only publications currently in print that was written with access to the Barnes Foundation archives.

Barnes no doubt was a controversial and mercurial figure. But for insight into the development of his educational philosophy and his great respect for an integrated and empowered workforce, I would highly recommend. Meyers provides an account of a nonprofit that is still resonant with the educational, social, and humanitarian issues of Philadelphia today.

The Devil And Dr. Barnes: Portrait Of An American Art Collector by Howard Greenfeld is an extensive study of an eccentric man's defiant accomplishments in the creation of the his prestigious art collection obtained for the mere enjoyment of the imagery. Engaging its readers in the fascinating life of Albert Coombs Barnes, The Devil And Dr. Barnes provides readers with an engaging biography of a complex, passionate individual, his life and involvement with the art world, drawing upon accounts from Gertrude and Leo Stein, Berrtrand Russe, John Dewy and a great many more of his contemporaries. The Devil And Dr. Barnes is a vivid depiction of a remarkable life and is very highly recommended reading for art students and collectors.