Reflections ― The American Collection at the Columbus Museum of Art

Reflections: The American Collection of the Columbus Museum of Art adds a novel and provocative element to the library of art museum collection catalogs. In the traditional manner, Reflections features selected works—more than one hundred twenty-five—from the museum’s collection, accompanied by concise essays by scholars of art who reflect on respond to the distinctive aspects of each work.

To this customary approach, the editors have added what they term intersections essays: an examination of a well-known work of art from the differing perspectives of two authors—most of whom are not art historians. For instance, acclaimed writer Joyce Carol Oates provides her perspective on George Bellows and is joined by Laurie Bellows Booth, an objects conservator and the painter’s granddaughter. The book includes ten of these compelling essays, including contributions by such authors as Adam Gopnik and Alan Trachtenberg.

Nannette V. Maciejunes is executive director of the Columbus Museum of Art.

M. Melissa Wolfe is curator of American Art and head of the American Department at the Saint Louis Art Museum.