Joseph Cornell

Joseph Cornell (1903-1972) was one of the twentieth century's leading exponents of collage and assemblage. A connoisseur of an astonishing range of subjects, Cornell was captivated with bygone imagery encompassing astronomical charts and geographical maps, as well as Italian and Spanish Old Master paintings, historical ballet, early cinema, literature, poetry, ornithology and astronomy. Most iconic among his works are the box constructions filled with once-precious fragments that he collected from the thrift shops of his native New York; the results of his collecting "microcosmic cabinets of curiosity" echo the great Enlightenment projects of amassing and categorising material. This book is landmark publication examining this remarkable artist's oeuvre. It brings together some of his most compelling assemblages and box constructions. Exhibition: Royal Academy of Arts, London, UK (4.7.-27.9.2015) / Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, Austria (20.10.2015-10.1.2016).