The Painter and the Printer: Robert Motherwell's Graphics

ART: MODERN MUSEUM STAGES MOTHERWELL SHOW

By John RUSSELL

THE good news from 11 West 53d Street is that the Museum of Modern Art is back in business again after having been closed for a time following the Picasso show. Now many an old favorite is on the wall in its accustomed place and an exhibition called ''The Painter and the Printer: Robert Motherwell's Graphics'' is on the third floor. Unlike virtually every other show that the museum has put on in its 50 years, this one was not prepared by its own staff. It is sponsored by the American Federation of Arts and curated by Stephanie Terenzio, assistant director of the William Benton Museum at the University of Connecticut. It consists of 90 graphics and some prints dated somewhere between 1960 and 1980, and it comes with a luxurious catalogue ($14.95 in paperback) that includes some seductive color plates, a catalogue raisonne of 234 items, an introduction by Miss Terenzio and interviews not only with Mr. Motherwell himself but also with 12 of those most closely associated with his print making, whether as printers or publishers.

New York Times • Arts • page 22 • 1,005 words