The Evolution of Modern Sculpture: Tradition and Innovation

New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc, 1969. Hardcover. VG. Blue cloth boards with silver lettering, illustrated dust jacket, 383 pp. 27 color, 377 bw repros. "The art of the twentieth century, according to A.M. Hammacher, will ultimately be judge chiefly on the basis of its sculptural achievements. Writing with the perspective afforded by the second half of our century, Professor Hammacher proposes modern sculpture as a vast body of work that not only merits, but demands, comparison with the masterpieces of earlier periods. The author discusses the enormously varied, rich, and diverse sculptural styles that, from earliest times, have nourished our recent sculpture, revivifying this art and giving new direction, new purpose, new conviction. And also, new daring, Some developments, such as the work of Futurists and Constructivists, come close to being sculpture without historical precedent. They left their mark on architecture; and the author discusses the new and growing rapport between architecture and sculpture, and between sculpture and our outdoor environment. After analyzing the contribution of the past to the formative stages of modern sculptural development, the book examines the divided artistic loyalties of our age, provocatively evident in the presentation of between-the-wars sculptors-- Gonzalez, Arp, Moore, Marini, Richier, Giacometti, Hepworth, Wotruba. The sweep of international sculpture at mid-century is then outlined. Scrutinizing recent European work, the author gives extended attention to England, whose sculptural renaissance has come to exert worldwide influence. He also sketches the twofold advance of kinetic sculpture--the purist development through Moholy-Nagy to Op, and the Dada development through Calder to moving Pop. Essentially the aim of the book is 'to trace the seeds that had brought about the rich and complex flowering of sculpture of the twentieth century.'"--Publisher's description. Includes bibliographical references (pages 364-373) and index.