Joseph Cornell's theater of the mind1993

Joseph Cornell is at once a legendary yet living presence in American art. His famous boxes, with their ineffably perfect choice of elements - the stuffed birds, the buttons and toys, the fragments of old theatrical posters, the poignant allusions to the worlds of the 19th century ballet and opera - are some of the most recognizable signatures in all of 20th century art.

This book is the first extended selection of Cornell's diaries and other written material to be published, and from his writings Cornell emerges as a deeply dedicated and conscious artist, though one whose personality was every bit as unusual as many had perceived. Cornell used his diaries as he used his boxes, to capture and preserve his passing feelings, his momentary urges, and his anguished hesitations.

He was an...