The Art of Winold Reiss : An Immigrant Modernist

The Art of Winold Reiss brings to light the creative and forward-thinking work of this German-born artist. Winold Reiss (1886-1953) arrived in New York in 1913, the year of the ground-breaking Armory Show. The exhibition shook the American art scene to its core and ushered in a radically new artistic sensibility, whilst Reiss's exuberant, dynamic designs anticipated the American passion for the new European avant-garde art. Steeped in a German aesthetic, Reiss brought his unique brand of modernism to the United States, and established a reputation and material presence in New York's cultural and commercial landscape. This vibrantly illustrated volume showcases over 140 examples of Reiss's work, ranging from his early graphic creations for advertisements, menus, packaging, calendars, and books, to his architectural and interior designs. Reiss's portraits of African Americans include leading figures of the Harlem Renaissance as well as members of the professional and working classes. Essays by leading specialists provide an overview of Reiss's life and artistic achievements, examining his interior designs of iconic New York restaurants and bars, his portraits and his decorative arts, including his work in new 20th-century materials.