Daniel-Henry Kahnweiler - Art History

Art History

But although the survival and financial success of his artists was important, it was as an art historian and as an eyewitness to Cubism (1907–1914) and to art history to which he made his major contribution. When working in Paris his spare time was devoted to reading and understanding the history of art and aesthetics. He also spent his time visiting the city's museums and art galleries; including trips around the continent to see what was being shown in museums and art galleries outside France. He gave his first interview in 1912 on Cubism, and it was actual historical events that led to his career as a historian. There is a view that Kahnweiler's sensibility was such that his gallery, and the way he styled and developed it, was as much a cubist gallery as were the paintings by Picasso and the other cubist painters. The gallery had a clear aesthetic position, uncompromising integrity, financial stability and creative development. During the years 1907-1914 - the central cradle for Cubism was his gallery - not only to see the works but where one also met the artists, discussed art and where artists discussed each other's works.