Henry Geldzahler (1935, Antwerp, Belgium—August 16, 1994, Southampton, New York ) was a well-known curator of contemporary art in the late 20th century. Unlike most curators at the time, he befriended many of the artists he was interested in, and socialized with them as if he were just another artist. Artists he associated with included Willem de Kooning, Jasper Johns, Frank Stella, Andy Warhol, David Hockney, and Larry Stanton.

He worked for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, where he eventually organized the landmark exhibition, New York Painting and Sculpture: 1940-1970, which included his favorite contemporary work.

From 1977 until 1982, he was the Commissioner of Cultural Affairs for New York City, having been appointed by Mayor Edward I. Koch.

Geldzahler is the subject of a documentary called Who Gets to Call It Art? by Peter Rosen.

External links

• Who Gets to Call It Art? at IMDB
• NY Times Obituary