Renowned British art historian and curator David Anfam passed away at the age of 69 in London on August 21, as confirmed by the Clyfford Still Museum in Denver, Colorado. Anfam was best known for his extensive scholarship on Abstract Expressionism, and his legacy lives on through his impactful exhibitions and publications, including his acclaimed catalogue raisonné of Mark Rothko’s paintings.
Born in 1955, Anfam studied at the Courtauld Institute of Art in London, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Art History and pursued his PhD under the mentorship of art historian John Golding. At Golding’s suggestion, Anfam focused his dissertation on Clyfford Still, a key figure in Abstract Expressionism known for his withdrawal from the art market to maintain creative control.
Despite never meeting Still in person, Anfam dedicated himself to the artist, eventually becoming the senior consulting curator for the Denver museum dedicated to Still’s estate when it opened in 2011.
Longtime friend and Hyperallergic critic John Yau described Anfam as someone who gathered information through conversations with those who knew the artist, studying the artwork, and delving into written material. Yau recounted how Anfam meticulously transcribed one of Still’s essays on Paul Cezanne by hand due to restrictions on photocopying at the time.
In 1998, Anfam published the groundbreaking Rothko catalogue raisonné, featuring over 830 of Rothko’s paintings, many of which had not been previously recognized. This publication earned Anfam the Mitchell Prize for the History of Art in 2000 and received widespread acclaim for its fresh perspective on Rothko’s work and influences. Anfam later produced a catalogue raisonné for artist Anish Kapoor in 2009.
His first published work, Abstract Expressionism (1990), was praised for its ability to distill a complex art movement into an accessible text. Anfam also contributed catalogue essays for numerous artists and reviewed exhibitions, including Cézanne: The Rock and Quarry Paintings at Princeton University Art Museum in 2020.
In addition to his writing, Anfam was a respected lecturer and curator. Notable exhibitions curated by Anfam include Mark Rothko: The Chapel Commission in Houston, Bill Viola: Ocean Without a Shore at the Venice Biennale, Abstract Expressionism at the Royal Academy of Arts in London, and Lynda Benglis: In the Realm of the Senses in Athens.
Yau emphasized that Anfam’s legacy extends beyond his work on Clyfford Still to include his writings on lesser-known artists and neglected contemporaries. He praised Anfam for his meticulous research and dedication to every artist he wrote about.
David Anfam’s impact on the art world is profound, and his contributions to art history will be remembered and celebrated for years to come.
