Page 51 - Studio International - January 1965

Richard Brown Baker

3
1
Nathan Oliveira
Seated Man with Object. 195 7
60 X 48 in.

2
Robert Barnes
Composition after Joseph Wright
of Derby's 'Experiment with Air
Pump·. 1961-63
69¾ X 87½ in.

3
Richard Stankiewicz
Assault. 1959
Sculpture, 14¼ in. high

In the winter of 1953 or 1954, at the suggestion of a collection possesses two major oils by this towering
friend, Baker enrolled in the Peoples' Art Center at the figure of American art.
Museum of Modern Art. Having neither grounding for, In an article for Art International, Mr. Baker had this to
nor pretensions to being an artist he approached the say about the collector as artist: 'It appears that in
easel with some misgivings. To his surprise he found America a great many picture buyers taper off into
himself not only enjoying the experience, but evincing amateur painters. For me the study of painting did not
considerable talent as a painter. Moreover, he dis­ diminish a whit my responsiveness to other painters'
covered that actual handling of materials and media art. Nor can I see why it should; yet Sam Kootz told me
enhanced his appreciation of the problems of art and last summer that I was nearly the only collector he
heightened his perceptions of the accomplished fact. knew who did not give up collecting when he took
So keen was his enjoyment that he enrolled for more up painting.'
intensive study under Morris Kantor at the Art Students' In his dual role as painter-collector it is inevitable that
League. He remained with Kantor until 1959. Of those Baker should make the acquaintance of numerous
studies he has said: 'From Morris Kantor I was to learn artists. Indeed, many have become close personal
a great deal in the man-to-man discussions about my friends. And while he has enjoyed and profited from
own student efforts that enlarged and deepened my these friendships he is aware of the pitfalls. He has
understanding of the art of painting.' admitted: 'I know I am myself rather afraid of the
During the summers of 1957 and 1958, Baker studied human factor and prefer to know and become friends
at the Hans Hofmann School in Provincetown, at that with artists after, not before, I have seen and admired
time unquestionably America's most advanced art their art. I don't want to be bribed into a purchase by
school. Of the Hofmann School he has written: 'In such personal charm rather than artistic merit.' Nonetheless,
an atmosphere one could not think of art as mere for those artists whose work interests him his concern
illustration or decoration; it was a product of intelli­ is genuine and on numerous occasions he has proved
gence, discipline, talent, and character. "Talent is himself a valuable friend and ally.
never enough," Hofmann used to say.' The work with For New York collectors space is invariably a problem.
Hofmann was fruitful in another respect: the Baker Sculpture, because of its cumbersome nature, and
39,