Small-Great Objects presents a remarkable look into the art-collecting practices of two of modern art's most widely influential figures, Anni (1899 1994) and Josef (1888 1976) Albers.
Their impressive collection of over 1,400 objects from Latin America, namely Mexico and Peru, represents a conscious endeavor that goes well beyond that of a casual hobby, displaying a deep appreciation for the art, textiles, and overall ingenuity of the ancient American world.
This insightful book draws on primary-source materials such as the couple's letters, personal papers, and archival photographs many never before published and demonstrates their conviction that these Prehispanic objects displayed a formal sophistication and bold abstraction that defy the prevalent conception of the works as primitive. Moreover, it shows how the Albers' spread their appreciation of the ancient world to others, through their teachings, their writings, and their own art practices.
