Literature

Thomas Craven (1888–1969), the conservative American art critic, published Modern Art in the spring of 1934 when the country was in the depths of the Depression and the art world was experiencing a growing movement to reject European modernism. In his obituary, Craven was described as "the leading decrier of the School of Paris" and, indeed, Modern Art served as his manifesto.¹ His inclusion of a section on Modigliani (pp. 192–203) was to exemplify his message: a "gifted wastrel as a specimen of the effects of Bohemianism on the artist."² Craven readily admitted that he used Modigliani "as a symbol of the multitudes of young men who go to the dogs in the slums of Paris."³

In his book, Craven included numerous anecdotes about Modigliani, quoting the artist's friends and the artist himself, although it is unclear who Craven's sources were. He can likely be credited with amplifying the myths of Modigliani's life since Modern Art became a Book-of-the-Month Club selection and was sent to its many subscribers across the country.

1. "Thomas Craven, Author, Dead," New York Times (March 1, 1969): 31.
2. Thomas Craven, "Introduction," in Modern Art: The Men The Movements The Meaning (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1934), xx.
3. Ibid.