PAST EXHIBITIONS

As the luxury retailer and a generous local philanthropist, Stanley Marcus was the most important taste-maker and cultural figure in twentieth-century Dallas. However, before he ever bought a painting or sculpture, he bought books. Throughout his life, the art of the book was paramount. He knew the major book dealers in London, Paris, and New York, sought out prized illustrated books from their famous artists, hounded publishers to be more ambitious in their designs, and published himself – both in connection with his store, Neiman-Marcus, and for his private enjoyment.

In order to celebrate the eye – and the brain – of Stanley Marcus, Meadows Museum Senior Curator (adjunct) Dr. Richard R. Brettell and Dr. Russell Martin, Director of SMU’s DeGolyer Library, have selected books from the library of Stanley Marcus. The exhibition celebrates what would have been the 100th birthday of Stanley Marcus and introduces the Dallas public to the richness of the Marcus holdings generously donated to the DeGolyer Library by Linda Marcus in 2003.