Armory Show

Armory Show, international exhibition of modern art held in New York, February 17-March 15, 1913, at the 69th Regiment Armory. It was the first major showing of modern art in the United States and had a huge impact on the American public. The impetus for the show came from a desire on the part of certain American artists, among whom Robert Henri was the guiding spirit, to popularize avant-garde American art. To organize the show they formed the Association of American Painters and Sculptors. The original intention to show only American art was superseded by the decision to divide the show into two parts: one consisting of American works and the other of European works. 1,600 works were shown in all.

After opening in New York, the show moved to Chicago and Boston, attracting a total of a quarter of a million visitors. Although public reaction was initially one of shock and imcomprehension, 300 paintings were sold and the show thrust the issue of modern art into the American cultural limelight and influenced future generations of painters. See American Art and Architecture.