Book Preface: There have been volumes written about the artists that appear between these pages. Significant biographies, monographs and catalogue raisonnes line the shelves of numerous art libraries and it would seem there would be little left to discover. So it is enormously rewarding to discover Alexander Katlan's reference guide, The Black and White Exhibitions qf*the Salmagundi Sketch Club 1878 to 1887: A Guide to Etchings, Engravings, Drawings, Sculpture, Ceramics, Oils and Monotypes, which will surely join the ranks of scholarly art historical reference material. The Salmagundi Sketch Club has a rich and distinctive history. The exhibitions began with a scant few entries and rapidly grew into blockbuster events that included some of the most well known artists of the day. It was one of the first annual exhibitions that welcomed non-member artists, international artists and women. The coverage of the exhibitions was extensive and helped to establish the Club's international reputation. Mr. Katlan's accompanying essay of the history of the Salmagundi Sketch Club is illuminating. The contemporary criticisms of the shows are enlightening and provide insight into the content and scope of subjects, and the reaction to the exhibitions. The accompanying illustrations provide further detail into the subject matter chosen by the artists for their prints and paintings. On a practical note, the catalogue of the black and white works provides an additional layer of context in American art history. The alphabetical listings of artists include the dates of the exhibition, titles and prices paid(where known). This type of information is invaluable to the individual study of American artists and is often absent from contemporary reference works. This is the first complete record of these important exhibitions and is a noteworthy addition to the Salmagundi Club's rich and varied history. Eva Greguski, Art Curator
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