This book documents Barbara and Aaron Levine’s extraordinary collection of Duchamp’s work, one of the most significant private collections of the artist in the world, which has been promised to the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. Collected over decades, these artworks span Duchamp’s entire career, demonstrating his critical role in the development of 20th-century art and his influence on artists working today. The collection features an exceptional group of “ready-mades,” such as Hat Rack, Comb, and With Hidden Noise, which exemplify how Duchamp elevated ideas over craftsmanship and beauty. Prints and drawings by the artist offer an introduction to his unique approach to reproductions, while portraits of Duchamp by the likes of Man Ray, Irving Penn, Diane Arbus, and Henri Cartier-Bresson reveal other sides of the enigmatic genius. The book also has essays discussing Duchamp’s significance as an artist, the rise and fall of his critical fortunes, as well as an interview with the collectors and an overview of their collection. This strikingly designed book also includes fold-outs and comparative illustrations. Placing Duchamp squarely in the context of both modern and contemporary art, this volume affirms his radical status as an artist and continued relevance today.

Contributions by: Melissa Chiu, Helen Molesworth, Francis M. Naumann