Jean Xceron: Rediscovered American modernist pioneer. Life and works, 1912--1949.
Item
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Title
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Jean Xceron: Rediscovered American modernist pioneer. Life and works, 1912--1949.
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Identifier
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AAI9989839
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identifier
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9989839
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Creator
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Vrachopoulos, Thalia Trezos.
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Contributor
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Adviser: Rose Carol Washton-Long
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Date
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1999
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Art History | American Studies | Biography
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Abstract
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This is a revisionist study on the early American modernist artist Jean Xceron. This contextual monograph includes biographical data, and numerous reproductions of the artist's paintings. The thesis advanced, states that although Xceron's contributions to American abstraction were seminal, as an artist and critic, he has been neglected since his death in 1967.;Xceron painted in an abstracted style from as early as his student years, the teens, and then from ca.1930 in an abstract style. Thus, he should be viewed as a bridge figure who closes the perceived gap in the literature, between first and second generation American abstraction. Because his works were reproduced in European publications such as Cahiers d'Art often examined by American artists, David Smith or Arshile Gorky for example, he should also be viewed as a valuable channel through which European art was disseminated to Americans. Another aspect of his importance to American artists was as an art critic for the Chicago Tribune, European Edition. His columns about the latest trends of the European avant-garde were frequently reproduced in America and read by contemporary artists.;Stylistically, Xceron has been most often cited by critics Robbins and Ashton, as having contributed through his paintings, as early as 1928, a background which utilizes light to create seemingly transparent space. This same sort of ground would appear in Mark Rothko's paintings of the 1940's and 1950's. Rothko was one of the many American artists who frequently visited Xceron in his capacity as custodian of paintings, at the Guggenheim warehouse to examine and discuss art.;Xceron attained some prominence during the years after his return up until his death, yet he has been forgotten by the American critical community since that time. This revisionist study is meant to reacquaint the reader with the artist and his contributions to American abstract art.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
