Epitome of Desire: The Story of the Nashers of Texas and One of the World's Greatest Sculpture Collections Created by Their Passion and O

by Robert A. Wilson

Book Overview

This is an American story that reminds us of the possibilities our nation offers. It's the story of the son of a Russian immigrant, Ray Nasher, who was born in Boston, lived in a three-decker house, and graduated from that great democratizer, Boston Latin School. It's the story of his entrepreneurial success in Texas and his marriage to Patsy and their creation, over the course of more than forty years, of one of the greatest sculpture collections...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0292702868
• ISBN13: 9780292702868
• Release Date: February 2004
• Publisher: Ray Nasher Sculpture Garden
• Length: 174 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.7" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

How do you create a museum?

How do you create a museum? People collect. Collections evolve and are admired by others. Properly nurtured a collection may take up a life of its own. At some point it becomes a stand alone entity. Humankind has always desired to keep desirable collections of objects together in perpetuity to study and admire. And because "all this must be left behind" museums are created. Wilson's book Epitome of Desire wonderfully chronicles the life of Patsy and Raymond Nasher as they first begin their collection to the construction of magnificent new Nasher Sculpture Center in Dallas. Nasher then becomes a artist when he uses his art to create a center worthy of their collection. Brought to life by such warm insights such as daughter Joanie remembering, "It was kind of fantasy and whimsical. I can remember doing my homework leaning on a Henry Moore. We were encouraged by our parents to touch the sculpture" but had to remember "don't spill anything on the carpet." Just as the collection is worthy of the Nashers, and the new Sculpture Center is worthy of the collection, Wilson's book Epitome of Desire is worthy of the story of the collection. A must read for museum professionals.