Henry geldzahler biography

Belgian-American art curator (1935–1994)

Henry Geldzahler (July 9, 1935 – August 16, 1994) was a Belgian-born American curator of contemporary art in the late 20th century, as well as a historian and critic of modern art.

He is best known for his work at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and as New York City Commissioner of Cultural Affairs, and for his social role in the art world with a close relationship with contemporary artists.

He has been described as "the most powerful and controversial art curator alive" and the art critic of The New Yorker magazine Calvin Tomkins said "If you were involved in any way in the [cultural] world, you met Henry".^[1]

Life and career

Born in Antwerp, Belgium, Geldzahler's Jewish family emigrated to the United States in 1940.^[2] He graduated from Yale University in 1957, where he was a member of Manuscript Society.^[3] After graduating from Yale, he began work on a doctorate in art hist