Art Historian Maurice Berger Dies of COVID-19 at 63
Maurice Berger, a prominent art and cultural historian, sadly died at 63. Fellow critic Jerry Saltz shared the news on Twitter, revealing that Berger lost his battle with COVID-19. He earned his undergraduate degree from Hunter College and later obtained a PhD in art history and critical theory from the City University of New York. His work frequently addressed themes of art, culture, and race in America. In 1999, he published 'White Lies: Race and the Myths of Whiteness,' reflecting on his childhood experiences in a diverse Lower East Side neighborhood. Berger wrote for notable outlets like Artforum and the New York Times, and received several awards, including the 2018 Infinity Award. He was also a chief curator at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
Key facts
- Maurice Berger died at age 63.
- Jerry Saltz announced Berger's death on Twitter.
- Berger's death was attributed to COVID-19.
- He earned a PhD in art history and critical theory from CUNY.
- His 1999 book 'White Lies' explored race and whiteness.
- He wrote for Artforum, Art in America, NYT, and Village Voice.
- He received the 2014 Creative Capital | Andy Warhol Foundation ArtsWriters Grant.
- He was research professor and chief curator at UMBC's Center for Art, Design, and Visual Culture.
Entities
Artists
- Maurice Berger
- Jerry Saltz
- Adrian Piper
- Fred Wilson
Institutions
- Hunter College
- City University of New York
- Artforum
- Art in America
- New York Times
- Village Voice
- Creative Capital
- Andy Warhol Foundation
- International Center of Photography
- Center for Art, Design, and Visual Culture
- University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Locations
- New York
- United States
- Lower East Side
- Baltimore
- Maryland