READ THIS: HOW THREE GENERATIONS OF REMARKABLE WOMEN CREATED A MECCA OF AMERICAN ART THE WHITNEY WOMEN AND THE MUSEUM THEY MADE A Family Memoir By Flora Miller Biddle Our Coverage Sponsored by Maine Woolens
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Whom You Know is devoted to finding lots of fantastic Manhattan attractions, including the Whitney. However, of all of the times you've explored this museum boasting the finest AMERICAN art, how many times have you stopped to smell the roses and find out how it evolved? What we like about this tale the most is that it is the true story about the birth and evolution of The Whitney Museum, told by the direct descendant of the founder, and also a past President herself. The torch has been passed to the forth generation, who is also involved today. The Whitney women clearly are intelligent and remarkable, and their story deserves to be told and heard and especially, read by you! Our panel adds:
As an Art History major in college and a native New York Upper Eastsider, I have grown up with the Whitney Museum in both regards. Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, founder of the Whitney Museum of American Art is the grandmother of Flora Miller Biddle who wrote this book. She also served as President of the Whitney Museum from 1977-1995. Interesting to me was that it moved locations from 8th street to 54th Street and finally to its present location on 75th. The book traces its development from 1930 to the present and how four generations of Whitney Women managed it successfully. The Primary purpose was to discover fresh talent. Second was to stimulate the creative spirit of the artists. I was impressed to learn that the museum is for artists, with artists as both staff and board. This book with appeal to art historians, New York City enthusiasts, all women as well as artists, museum curators throughout the world.
The Whitney. I'm not sure when it first entered my consciousness, but having been born and raised in New York State, and then attending Sarah Lawrence College, about a 20 minute drive from the city, and finally settling in the city itself, I'd never thought all that much about it - it was always just there! A cornerstone of modern American art, it was one of those institutions that had been so firmly installed in the NY art scene, that I hardly gave a thought to how it came to exist, or even who it was named for. Well, thanks to The Whitney Women And The Museum They Made by Flora Miller Biddle, I have a newfound enchantment with, and appreciation for, the Whitney. This thoughtful, enlightening memoir is written by the granddaughter of the Whitney's founder and inspiration, Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney. Yes, THAT Vanderbilt - and that explains quite a bit, already! Growing up as a member of elite New York society wasn't easy for an intelligent, spirited woman - and this book tells the story of Gertrude, how she developed into a sculptor, herself, and how she came to found the first museum in the country dedicated specifically to celebrating the work of contemporary American artists. This was virtually unheard of at the time, and provided countless artists with the support the so desperately needed - and deserved! The book traces the history of the museum from Gertrude's ancestors through the present day, focusing mainly on Gertrude, Gertude's daughter Flora and Flora's daughter (also named Flora!), the author of the book. This is the story not only about the creation and preservation of a museum, but of three strong, driven, and passionate women who each, in their own way, has made their own contributions to the history of the museum - and done their best to give it a successful future. From the first word through the last, this is an engaging, exciting, and inspiring read - and one which has gained the Whitney at least one new avid supporter!
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Until Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney opened her studio on Eighth Avenue in Manhattan in 1914—which evolved into the Whitney Museum almost two decades later— there were few art museums in the United States, let alone galleries for contemporary artists to exhibit their work. When the mansions of the wealthy cried out for art, they sought it from Europe, then the art capital of the world. It was in her tiny sculptor’s studio in Greenwich Village that Whitney began holding exhibitions of contemporary American artists.
The Whitney Women and the Museum They Made (Arcade Publishing, April 2012) is an inspiring story of the high ideals, extraordinary altruism, and great dedication that stood steadfast against inflated egos, big business, and greed during a volatile economy and rapidly evolving social climate. This remarkable effort by a scion of America’s wealthiest family helped to change the way art was cultivated in America. Flora Biddle’s sensitive and insightful memoir is a success story of three generations of forceful, indomitable women.
About the Author
Flora Miller Biddle was president of the Whitney Museum of American Art from 1977 to 1995. She has four children. Her daughter, Fiona, following her mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, has been elected to serve on the Whitney Board of Trustees. Flora and her husband live in New York.
The Whitney Women and the Museum They Made
A Family Memoir
By Flora Miller Biddle
Arcade Publishing, an imprint of Skyhorse Publishing
On Sale: April 2012
ISBN: 978-1-61145-402-4
Price: $16.95
