Piss and Light

This book reprints the critical essays of esteemed art historian Baruch D. Kirschenbaum (1931-2024), who taught art history at the Rhode Island School of Design from 1962 to 2001, including terms as head of the Art History department and chair/dean of the Liberal Arts division. Essays cover Andres Serrano's controversial "Piss Christ"; the police raid and obscenity trial of the 1978 exhibit "Private Parts"; the purpose of art school humanities; primitivism and contemporary art; the role of art museums; a film documenting an art auction; the photographic works of Doug Prince; and Michelangelo's drawings for Cavaliere. Elizabeth G. Grossman provides contextualizing commentary for each essay, as well as for Kirschenbaum's acclaimed book on Jan Steen, plus biographical background for the author.