Dealer's Choice: The Samuel Kootz Gallery 1945–1966 will be the first exhibition that examines the critical role Kootz (1898–1982) played in establishing modern American art as an international force. Kootz’s New York gallery (operational 1945–1966) was instrumental in promoting the careers of several major Abstract Expressionist artists, including Robert Motherwell, Hans Hofmann, Adolph Gottlieb, and William Baziotes. Kootz was an alumnus of UVA, graduating in 1921, and also made a major gift of paintings to The Fralin in 1976–1977. Until now, Samuel Kootz has been underrepresented in the scholarship of the postwar period, despite representing much of the major talent in twentieth-century art. The majority of the exhibition focuses on the formative years of the gallery, during which Picasso and Motherwell served as proverbial cornerstones to the operation, representing the old and new guard. The show will focus exclusively on art supported by Kootz, and will reflect this critical period in American art through the unprecedented lens of gallerist and agent, one that had a global impact and whose influence continues to be strongly felt today. The exhibition will be accompanied by an illustrated scholarly publication. This catalogue will include research and essays by noted experts that closely examine Kootz’s career and activities with the Kootz Gallery, his writings, relationships with individual artists, collectors, and dealers, and the trajectories of the artists who showed at his gallery, in order to provide a new perspective on this moment in American art. The publication will be available to purchase for $20.00 plus shipping. To purchase a copy of the Kootz publication, contact Lisa Jevack.  A version of this exhibition will travel to the Neuberger Museum of Art, Purchase College, State University of New York in January.   A Symposium on Samuel M. Kootz (Col ‘21) and the Kootz Gallery at Mid-century November 2–3, 2017   Speakers will examine the role Kootz played as a dealer and advocate of French and American abstract painting starting as early as the 1930s, when he abandoned his law career in Virginia and moved to New York. Later, when he opened his gallery, Kootz played a significant role in the promotion of abstract expressionism, and brokered the sale of many key works from this period. His commitment to both French and American painting was reflected in his many exhibitions of work by French modernists and his complicated, but lucrative relationship with Picasso.  November 2 | 6 pm Keynote Speaker and Blizzard Lecturer: Serge Guilbaut   Campbell Hall, Room 153   Professor Emeritus of Art History, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, CanadaBombed Pleasure: Post-War Marketing of Modern Art November 3 | 10 am – 1 pm   Guest Speakers and Panel Discussion   Special Collections, Harrison, Small Auditorium Jennifer Farrell | Associate Curator, Department of Drawings and Prints, Metropolitan Museum of Art Art in America: Samuel Kootz and the Contemporary Art Market at Mid-CenturySanford Hirsch | Executive Director, Adolph and Esther Gottlieb FoundationArtist and Dealer: Adolph Gottlieb and Sam KootzHarry Cooper | Curator and Head of Modern Art, National Gallery of Art, Washington, DCPierre Soulages: A Frenchman in New YorkChrista Noel Robbins | Assistant Professor of Modern and Contemporary Art and Criticism, UVA McIntire Department of ArtArtists Without DealersJack Flam | President and CEO, Dedalus Foundation, and Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Art and Art History at Brooklyn College and The Graduate Center, City University of New YorkDiscussion of Motherwell   Parking Information:  November 2—Free parking available in Culbreth Garage after 5 pm. November 3—Passes will be available for parking in Central Grounds Garage.