Painters Painting - Emile de Antonio, 1973

Before he became a filmmaker at age 43, Emile de Antonio had already made a significant contribution to modern art, promoting the careers of Warhol, Stella, Johns and others before they were well known. When the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s exhibition “New York Painting and Sculpture: 1940-1970“ opened, the curator gave de Antonio exclusive access to the canvases. Working with cinematographer Ed Emshwiller brought a pictorial sophistication new to de Antonio’s work. Together they profiled thirteen painters, interviewing them at length, observing them at work in their studios. At times as compelling as the artists are the art dealer Leo Castelli, collectors Robert and Ethel Scull, critic Clement Greenberg and others who shaped the environment of the post-WWII art world.