Author Description

Among his many facets, Alexander Iolas (1907-1987) is recognized as a great champion of Surrealism in America, and for mounting Andy Warhol's first gallery exhibition and Ed Ruscha's first solo show in New York. A fantastic character and passionate art lover, Iolas built deep personal relationships and facilitated intercontinental connections among artists, gallerists and collectors via his galleries in Athens, Geneva, Madrid, Milan, New York and Paris. Noted for the pivotal role he played in the building of the Menil Collection in Houston, Iolas operated according to his own taste and discerning eye. This fully illustrated publication includes archival photographs and installation views documenting the artworks, movements, personalities and friendships spanning critical periods in the art of the twentieth century. It includes work by Giorgio de Chirico, William Copley, Joseph Cornell, Max Ernst, Lucio Fontana, Yves Klein, René Magritte, Ed Ruscha, Niki de Saint Phalle, Takis, Dorothea Tanning, Paul Thek and Andy Warhol.