Duchamp: A Biography

First published to great acclaim in 1996, Calvin Tomkins' biography of Marcel Duchamp has been out of print for many years. The Museum of Modern Art, New York, is publishing a new and revised edition of this landmark biography to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Duchamp's first Readymade, Bicycle Wheel, a later version of which is in MoMA's collection. Duchamp is widely considered one of the most important artists of the twentieth century, yet his personal life remained an enigma throughout his career. Tomkins, from his position as both an art critic and a friend of Duchamp's since the 1950s, provides a detailed portrait of Duchamp, analyzing his art, career, personal life, influences, and relationships. This thoroughly researched and accessible book is one of the most authoritative biographies of Duchamp.