Peter Galassi, the Joel and Anne Ehrenkranz Chief Curator of the Department of Photography at The Museum of Modern Art, has just announced his separation from the New York museum. His departure will come into effect in July 2011. After completing a sabbatical of six months, he will devote his time to writing and other projects linked to photography. His director, Glenn D. Lowry, commented: « Over the course of his long career at The Museum of Modern Art, Peter Galassi has furthered our understanding of photography as an art form that is central to modern and contemporary art. He has led the growth and transformation of MoMA’s photography collection. »
After thirty years of loyal services, which began as an internship in 1974, he leaves behind a series of forty rich exhibitions, including Henri Cartier-Bresson: The Modern Century (2010), which is certainly the most significant. Peerless historian, devoted passionate, Peter Galassi always preferred to be more of a discreet person who didn’t show himself often. The Museum will begin to look for a new Chief Curator of Photography in the coming months. A demanding task, most certainly.
Jonas Cuénin
