Resident Book Review of “Picasso’s War: How Modern Art Came to America”

Charlestown resident Elva E. Tillman will review Picasso’s War:  How Modern Art Came to America by Hugh Eakin on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. in the Auditorium.

Are you enamored with modern art or fascinated by history?  Then, you will enjoy Hugh Eakin’s 2022 book.  Here, Eakin provides the real details about the development of the Museum of Modern Art (aka  MoMA).

Eakin’s impeccable research served him well in the development of what can be described as a historical novel.  The book highlights the evolution of the MoMA and how modern art swept through the western world influencing our very existence.

The book unfolds with World War I and II as the context.  If you enjoy period dramas/drama noir, you will quickly consume this book.  It is Downton Abby and Casablanca rolled into one. 

The descriptions of WWI are reminiscent of Julian Fellows’ war scenes in the Masterpiece Theatre, Downton series.  As the plight of the refugees in the second war is described, you will reflect upon the drama noir, Casablanca.

While Picasso is highlighted in the title and throughout the book, the real MoMA heroes were self-made ordinary people.  Primary among them, John Quinn, an attorney and Alfred Barr (a modern art historian) connected in a synergistic manner, to develop the MoMA.

You “know” how the story ends; but, you will not want to miss the salacious details.  This book is filled with adventure, romance, sex, lies, art, telegrams (i.e., texting back in the day), deceit and more art.  It is a most enjoyable read—better than fiction.

Hugh Eakin is a senior editor at Foreign Affairs.

 Elva E. Tillman, urban planner/land use attorney, resides at Charlestown with her partner James E. Jones, a retired Professor of Fine Arts, Morgan State University.