Picasso's War

How Modern Art Came to America

By: Hugh Eakin

Narrated by: Mack Sanderson

A riveting story of how dueling ambitions and the power of prodigy made America the cultural center of the world—and Picasso the most famous artist alive—in the shadow of World War II

“[Eakin] has mastered this material. . . . The book soars.”—The New York Times Book Review (Editors’ Choice)

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: Vanity Fair, The New York Times Book Review, The New Yorker

In January 1939, Pablo Picasso was renowned in Europe but disdained by many in the United States. One year later, Americans across the country were clamoring to see his art. How did the controversial leader of the Paris avant-garde break through to the heart of American culture?

The answer begins a generation earlier, when a renegade Irish American lawyer named John Quinn set out to build the greatest collection of Picassos in existence. His dream of a museum to house them died with him, until it was rediscovered by Alfred H. Barr, Jr., a cultural visionary who, at the age of twenty-seven, became the director of New York’s new Museum of Modern Art.

Barr and Quinn’s shared goal would be thwarted in the years to come—by popular hostility, by the Depression, by Parisian intrigues, and by Picasso himself. It would take Hitler’s campaign against Jews and modern art, and Barr’s fraught alliance with Paul Rosenberg, Picasso’s persecuted dealer, to get Picasso’s most important paintings out of Europe. Mounted in the shadow of war, the groundbreaking exhibition Picasso: Forty Years of His Art would launch Picasso in America, define MoMA as we know it, and shift the focus of the art world from Paris to New York.

Picasso’s War is the never-before-told story about how a single exhibition, a decade in the making, irrevocably changed American taste, and in doing so saved dozens of the twentieth century’s most enduring artworks from the Nazis. Through a deft combination of new scholarship and vivid storytelling, Hugh Eakin shows how two men and their obsession with Picasso changed the art world forever.

©2022 Hugh Eakin (P)2022 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“[Eakin] has mastered this material, read a mountain of sources and synthesized them skillfully, and he manages to braid aesthetics with history with personal details. . . . The book soars. His achievement is keeping the complex plotline moving, while offering sharp insights and astute judgments.”—The New York Times Book Review (Editors’ Choice)

“Eakin spins neglected yarns of art history into pure gold in this clear, sensitive, and deftly written narrative.”—Vanity Fair

“Admirable and enjoyable . . .The story in Picasso’s War is well told, with an impressive level of biographical detail.”—The New Yorker

The Best

Masterful weaving of the lives and the times that changed art forever! A must read for anyone.

Painter listens while painting

Excellent. Compelling. Couldn’t wait to return to it everyday. I think I will listen to it again.

Picasso’s War

Very interesting account of modern art in the early years. How it was impacted by WWII.

Nonfiction wrapped in history enhanced by art

I had gotten this book as an afterthought on a 2 for 1 sale. It turned out to be informative, easy to listen to, & gave me an unexpected deep insight into the modern art of late 19 early 20th century. I looked up each painting as it was discussed, & have received a hugely more informed undertaking & appreciation of the entire period.

Fabulous, fabulous book

If you are interested in modern art I highly recommend this book. Certainly Picasso plays a major role but he is not the only one. If you are interested in the origins of MOMA, the transition from European art dealers to American museums, the world of art during the World Wars, and so much more read this book.

A masterpiece

By itself, a stunning overview of early 20thC art.
Not to be missed!

Narrator terrific—-

Wonderfully Rich, Comprehensive, and Entertaining!

Not having had much experience with modern art, I had a rather “meh” attitude…until this book! I listened and immediatel re-listened, looked up all the pictures discussed and WOW, am now appreciative, engaged, and

a definite must read

i wouldnt hesitate to recommend this book. it was an absolute treasure trove of art history

Not obscure or obtuse at all

Well written, well spoken, quite enjoyable version of events relating to the 2 world wars as experienced by artists, dealers, and patrons. The American resistance to, and then enthusiastic embrace of “modern” portrayed in a way that shines light on some unsung heroes.

Phenomenal history and performance

Simply fantastic account of Alfred Barr’s attempt to bring Picasso to the United States. So fascinating from a art historical, historical and psychological perspective. The narrator is really wonderful and nuanced.