Hardback, 256pp
ISBN: 978-1-910787-82-3

My study of John Rothenstein, Director of the Tate Gallery from 1938-1964, was published on April 11 2018.

During his time at the Tate, the British art world, of which he was a central figure, underwent huge changes. The Tate’s role and fortunes were transformed. His tenure also involved various controversies and he dealt with all of the leading figures of the time, such as Francis Bacon, Douglas Cooper, Anthony Blunt and Sir Alfred Munnings.

Contents

Preface

Part 1 – John Rothenstein before The Tate

1 – William Rothenstein’s Influence on his Son
2 – London and America, 1923-32
3 – Leeds and Sheffield, 1932-38
4 – The Books, 1926-38

Part 2 – The Tate before John Rothenstein (1897-1938)

5 – The Status of the Tate
6 – The Four Previous Keepers and Directors

Part 3 – Making History: Director of the Tate (1938-1964)

7 – Early Days and North America Tour, 1938-40
8 – War and Post-War, 1940-46
9 – Straws in the Wind, 1947-51
10 – Tate War: First Phase, 1952-53
11 – Tate War: Second Phase, 1953-54
12 – Last Years at the Tate, 1955-64

Part 4 – Writing History

13 – The Autobiography
14 – Modern English Painters

Conclusion

Reviews

“Henry Moore rubbished Barbara Hepworth sculpture, diaries say” The Guardian, 26th March 2018

“Moore did Hepworth down to boost his presence at the Tate” The Times, 26th March 2018

“Diaries reveal how Henry Moore made the Tate rule out Barbara Hepworth” The Telegraph, 26th March 2018

“…fascinating and revealing… does much to elucidate why Rothenstein was such an extraordinarily divisive figure at the Tate in the early 1950s” Charles Saumarez Smith

---

Interview at the Tate
To mark the publication of the biography of John Rothenstein, Gregor Muir, Tate’s Director of Collection, International Art asked me a few questions about the challenges Rothenstein faced during his 26 years at the top.

Read interview