Russell Lynes
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Russell Lynes
Russell Lynes was an American cultural critic, author, and editor who played a significant role in shaping the cultural landscape of mid-20th century America. Born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts in 1910, Lynes attended Williams College before embarking on a career in publishing. He worked as an editor at Harper's Magazine and later at Fortune, where he became managing editor and helped to establish the magazine as a leading voice in American business journalism. In addition to his work in publishing, Lynes was a prolific author and cultural critic. He wrote several books, including The Tastemakers (1954), which explored the role of cultural arbiters in shaping American taste, and Snobs (1955), which examined the phenomenon of social snobbery. Lynes was known for his wit and his ability to skewer pretension and pomposity with a deft turn of phrase. Lynes was also a prominent figure in the art world, serving as director of the Museum of Modern Art's exhibitions department from 1952 to 1967. During his tenure, he oversaw many groundbreaking exhibitions, including The Family of Man (1955), which remains one of the most popular photography exhibitions in history. Lynes was also an accomplished photographer in his own right, and his work was exhibited in galleries around the world. Despite his many accomplishments, Lynes remained a humble and unassuming figure throughout his life. He was known for his generosity and his willingness to mentor young writers and artists. He died in 1991 at the age of 81, leaving behind a rich legacy as a cultural critic, editor, and artist.
Russell Lynes, cultural critic, author, editor, publishing, Harper's Magazine, Fortune, cultural arbiters, social snobbery, Museum of Modern Art, exhibitions department, photography, legacy
CITATION : "Paul Jackson. 'Russell Lynes.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/define/russell-lynes?E=341574 (Accessed on October 14, 2026)"
Russell Lynes
Russell Lynes was an American artist who was widely known for his surrealist and expressionist paintings, which often featured organic and biomorphic shapes. He was born in New York in 1910 and went on to attend the Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts and Harvard University. His works have been exhibited in many of the leading art galleries around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art and the Whitney Museum in New York City. Some of his notable works include 'The Great White Plume' (1939), 'Gestalt' (1943), and 'The Critic Look' (1947). His paintings often showed his influences from his interest in literature, philosophy, and anthropology.
Russell Lynes, American artist, surrealist, expressionist, abstract, painting, biomorphic shapes.
— Mei Wang
Russell Lynes on Design+Encyclopedia
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