This absorbing biography, often conveyed through Peter Selz’s own words, traces the journey of a Jewish-German immigrant from Hitler’s Munich to the United States and on to an important career as a pioneer historian of modern art. Paul J. Karlstrom illuminates key historical and cultural events of the twentieth-century as he describes Selz’s extraordinary career―from Chicago’s Institute of Design (New Bauhaus), to New York’s Museum of Modern Art during the transformative 1960s, and as founding director of the University Art Museum at UC Berkeley. Karlstrom sheds light on the controversial viewpoints that at times isolated Selz from his colleagues but nonetheless affirmed his conviction that significant art was always an expression of deep human experience. The book also links Selz’s long life story―featuring close relationships with such major art figures as Mark Rothko, Dore Ashton, Willem de Kooning, Sam Francis, and Christo―with his personal commitment to political engagement.

Childhood : Munich, art, and Hitler -- New York : Steiglitz, Rheingold, and 57th Street -- Chicago to Pomona : New Bauhaus and early career -- Back to New York : inside MOMA -- MOMA exhibitions : from new images of man to Alberto Giacometti -- Pop goes the art world : departure from New York -- Berkeley : funk, sex, finances, and politics -- Students, colleagues, and controversy -- A career in retirement : returning to early themes and passions -- A conclusion : looking at Kentridge and Warhol.