Alfred Frankenstein
Encyclopedia
Alfred Victor Frankenstein (October 5, 1906 – June 22, 1981) was an art and music critic, author and professional musician.
He was the long-time art and music critic for the San Francisco Chronicle
. Noted for championing American art
, (see, Actual Art
) his most famous book is After The Hunt, a volume that examined the trompe-l'œil movement in late 19th century and early 20th century American art, focussing on the painters William Harnett
and John Frederick Peto. Among his colleagues, he was noted for his wit and his lack of tolerance for pretension.
Prior to becoming a journalist and critic, he played clarinet in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
. He was married to the concert
violin
ist Sylvia Lent.
He also was professor of Art History at the University of California at Berkeley in the 1970s.
He was the long-time art and music critic for the San Francisco Chronicle
San Francisco Chronicle
thumb|right|upright|The Chronicle Building following the [[1906 San Francisco earthquake|1906 earthquake]] and fireThe San Francisco Chronicle is a newspaper serving primarily the San Francisco Bay Area of the U.S. state of California, but distributed throughout Northern and Central California,...
. Noted for championing American art
American Art
American Art is the debut album of the band Weatherbox. It was released on May 8, 2007 on Doghouse Records. The album received critical acclaim from several sources including underground music distribution company Smartpunk, who lauded the band's style:...
, (see, Actual Art
Actual Art
Actual Art is a genre of art that was first named by critic Alfred Frankenstein of the San Francisco Chronicle in a review of Helene Aylon’s work. The name was chosen because the art was "real", but the term "Realism" was already in use to describe a different genre...
) his most famous book is After The Hunt, a volume that examined the trompe-l'œil movement in late 19th century and early 20th century American art, focussing on the painters William Harnett
William Harnett
William Michael Harnett was an Irish-American painter known for his trompe l'oeil still lifes of ordinary objects.-Early life:...
and John Frederick Peto. Among his colleagues, he was noted for his wit and his lack of tolerance for pretension.
Prior to becoming a journalist and critic, he played clarinet in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Chicago, Illinois. It is one of the five American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five". Founded in 1891, the Symphony makes its home at Orchestra Hall in Chicago and plays a summer season at the Ravinia Festival...
. He was married to the concert
Concert
A concert is a live performance before an audience. The performance may be by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, a choir, or a musical band...
violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
ist Sylvia Lent.
He also was professor of Art History at the University of California at Berkeley in the 1970s.
Books
- Frankenstein, Alfred Victor. After the hunt; William Harnett and other American still life painters, 1870-1900 [by] Alfred Frankenstein. Rev. ed. Berkeley, University of California Press, 1969. xix, 200 p. illus., col. front. 29 cm.
- Karel Appel / edited and with introductory and critical essays by Alfred Frankenstein. New York : H. N. Abrams, 1980. 191 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 28 x 30 cm. ISBN 0-8109-0364-4
- Painter of rural America: William Sidney Mount, 1807-1868. By Alfred Frankenstein. Introd. by Jane des Grange. [Washington, Printed by H.K. Press, c1968] 70 p. illus. (part col.), ports. (part col.) 27 cm.