Louis Michel Eilshemius

Louis Michel Eilshemius (1864–1941) was practically unknown to the general public until Marcel Duchamp discovered him in the famous first exhibition of the Society of Independent Artists at the Grand Central Palace in New York in 1917. Duchamp and Katherine Drier organized the painter’s first solo exhibitions in New York in 1920 and 1924 at the Société Anonyme, and suddenly Eilshemius’ name was on the lips of influential critics and collectors. Eilshemius himself, frustrated by years of failure, and having grown increasingly eccentric, gave up painting in 1921. Although today many US museums and collectors possess works by Eilshemius, the artist has faded into obscurity. Eilshemius perfectly exemplifies—in the age of biennials and art fairs—the resolute individualist. This massive volume compiles over 500 works, providing the reader with a profound insight into the oeuvre of this unusual artist and examining Eilshemius’ influence on Duchamp’s artistic thinking.