This extensively illustrated monograph is the first to appear on one of America's foremost modern sculptors, Reuben Nakian. As Frank O'Hara makes clear in his illuminating study, Nakain's career "has had dramatic ups and downs, advances, reversals, revaluations." Following in the tradition of Paul Manship and Gaston Lachaise, Nakian by his mid-thirties was already acclaimed for his stylized animal sculpture and realistic portraits. Then abruptly he drastically revised his artistic concepts, and after virtually abandoning sculpture for about a decade reemerging in the last 1940s with drawings, terra-cottas, and bronzes that were sensuous, abstract interpretations of mythological themes. This new style, while highly personal, was closely related to that of the abstract expressionist. It led directly to the remarkable plastic innovations of the later works in plaster, bronze, and steal-heroic both in subject and scale-though which Nakian has made his major contribution to contemporary art. 56 pp.; 80 illus. Published in 1966 and edited by Frank O'Hara, this rare book from MoMA Publications is available in extremely limited quantities. Each book from this special selection has been stored for decades in MoMA’s warehouse. MoMA’s award-winning publications program has been an integral part of the Museum’s mission since its founding in 1929. These exhibition- and collection-related titles are renowned for their high production values. Please note that the cover photo is for reference only and does not reflect the actual condition of the book being sold.