Jean Hélion Retrospective at National Academy Museum Reveals Complex Legacy
From July 14 to October 9, 2005, the National Academy Museum in New York hosted a retrospective of Jean Hélion's artwork, which initially debuted at the Centre Pompidou in Paris. The exhibition showcased thematic collections, featuring early abstractions from approximately 1930 and later pieces such as "The Exhibition of 1934" from 1979-80. In the 1940s, Hélion's transition from abstraction to figuration resulted in Peggy Guggenheim severing ties with him. The catalog, published in 2004 by Paul Holberton Publishing, includes essays from Didier Ottinger, Henry-Claude Cousseau, Matthew Gale, and Debra Bricker Balken. Notable works on display included "With Cyclist" (1939) and "The Stairs" (1944). By 2005, Hélion's presence in the U.S. had diminished, resulting in a smaller exhibition than in Paris.
Key facts
- Jean Hélion retrospective ran July 14 to October 9, 2005 at National Academy Museum in New York
- Exhibition originated at Centre Pompidou in Paris
- Hélion shifted from abstraction to figuration in the 1940s, leading Peggy Guggenheim to drop him
- Exhibition catalog published in 2004 by Paul Holberton Publishing with essays by four scholars
- Thematic layout included works like "The Exhibition of 1934" (1979-80) and early 1930s abstractions
- Hélion influenced artists like Leland Bell and was discussed by critics Jed Perl and Hilton Kramer
- New York show was smaller than Paris version, omitting major canvases from the 1950s-70s
- Hélion associated with Saul Steinberg and Richard Lindner, with contemporary links to Thomas Scheibitz and Lisa Yuskavage
Entities
Artists
- Jean Hélion
- Didier Ottinger
- Henry-Claude Cousseau
- Matthew Gale
- Debra Bricker Balken
- Peggy Guggenheim
- Robert Storr
- Clemente
- Cucchi
- Guston
- Vantongerloo
- Vordemberge-Gildewart
- Seurat
- Poussin
- David
- Louis Le Nain
- Ucello
- Mondrian
- Van Doesberg
- Kandinsky
- Kupka
- Picabia
- Leland Bell
- Jed Perl
- Hilton Kramer
- Saul Steinberg
- Richard Lindner
- William Copley
- Lester Johnson
- Bob Thompson
- Carroll Dunham
- Thomas Scheibitz
- Lisa Yuskavage
- Neo Rauch
Institutions
- National Academy Museum
- Centre Pompidou
- MoMA
- Guggenheim
- Art Concret
- Abstraction-Création
- Axis magazine
- Tibor de Nagy
- Salander O'Reilly
- Paul Holberton Publishing
- The Burlington Magazine
- artcritical.com
Locations
- New York
- United States
- Paris
- France
- London
- United Kingdom