Tells the story of one man’s generous gift that formed a brilliant collection of Minimalism, Conceptualism, and Avant-Garde art.

Counterpoint explores the vision of John M. Parker Jr., a prominent Texas art collector known for his patronage of minimalism, conceptualism, and other avant-garde art produced from 1970 onwards. Parker gifted his collections to the McNay Art Museum in 2017 and with a bequest in 2023.

Parker's collection includes more than 160 prints, drawings, photographs, paintings, and sculptures, with well-known artists including Josef Albers, Alice Aycock, John Baldessari, Katharina Fritsch, Donald Judd, Sol Lewitt, Agnes Martin, and Frank Stella, among others.

Featuring much of Parker’s gift to the McNay Art Museum in San Antonio, Texas, this richly illustrated catalog highlights the experimental work of well-known twentieth-century artists. The essays examine the formation of a personal collection, as well as broader artistic discussions on the importance of printmaking to major artists and the impact of the political landscape on art of the twentieth century.

About The Author

René Paul Barilleaux was until recently Head of Curatorial Affairs at the McNay Art Museum, San Antonio, Texas. Barilleaux focuses primarily on American art from the 1970s to the present.