Gruen, John Jonas - Facing the Artist

For well over half a century, John Jonas Gruen has been observing artists. As a photographer, critic, and composer, his encounters with the movers and shakers of the New York art scene make him one of the most experienced chroniclers of personalities in the late 20th century. For the first time ever, Gruen has assembled the best of his photographic portraits in book form, offering an exclusive glimpse into the world of art celebrity from 1957 to the present.
Gruen's work for a New York photo agency in the 1950s put him into contact with some of the greatest photographers of the day, including Brassai, Robert Doisneau, Bill Brandt, Sabine Weiss, and Man Ray. These relationships and Gruen's subsequent work as an art critic for leading publications such as the New York Herald Tribune and ARTnews magazine gave him exposure and experience, which he matched with boundless energy and elan. The result is a series of portraits which captures the essence of such well-known artists as Keith Haring, Jasper Johns, and Yoko Ono. The photographs radiate a warmth that reveals Gruen's friendship with his subjects, with a powerful, moving sensitivity.

Many of the photographs in this book were taken before the artists acquired fame and fortune. Instead of glamorous shots, taken paparazzi-style for a quick sale to the tabloids, these are insightful portraits, offering an exclusive glimpse into the world of art celebrity from 1957 to the present. Gruen's work in the 1950s for a New York photo agency put him into contact with some of the greatest photographers of the day, including Brassai, Robert Doisneau, Bill Brandt, Sabine Weiss and Man Ray. These relationships and his work as an art critic gave him exposure and experience. The result is a unique series of photographs which captures the essence of such well -known artists as Keith Haring. Jasper Johns and Yoko Ono.

John Jonas Gruen (September 12, 1926 – July 12, 2016) (born Jonas Grunberg) was an American art critic, art historian, author, photographer, and composer.

Grunberg was born Enghien-les-Bains, France, the youngest of four sons, to Abraham Grunberg who was initially a diamond dealer later became a travel writer, and Aranka Dodeles. The Jewish family moved to Berlin, Germany, in 1929; when the Nazis came to power in 1933, they fled persecution to Milan in 1933. The family once again moved in 1939 when they left for New York City to flee from Italian Fascism.

Grunberg chose the name "John Jonas Gruen" in an attempt to Americanize himself. He learned how to speak English from Hollywood films. Gruen graduated from the High School of Commerce in New York City. Initially he attended City College of New York. Then, in an effort to assimilate, he sought attendance at what he thought to be the most American school, the University of Iowa. Gruen majored in art history and earned bachelor's and master's degrees in the discipline.

Publisher: Prestel Pub (1 March, 1999)
Language: English
Hardcover: 85 pages
ISBN-10: 3791320033
ISBN-13: 9783791320038
Item weight: -
Dimensions: 26.04 x 1.27 x 28.58 cm