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MARSHALL MOUNT Obituary

MOUNT--Marshall Ward. 1927 - 2018, died November 25 of pancreatic cancer at home in Jersey City. He was a beautiful mischievous little boy; "zoot-suited" teenager covering NYC Jazz for high school paper; serious art history student at Columbia from the College through his PhD. In 1960, awarded a Rockefeller Foundation Fellowship to do field research on post WWI African art. For over two years, he did that throughout sub-Saharan Africa during the dramatic period of national independence. His book "African Art: The Years Since 1920" was the first book on contemporary African art published in the United States. Marshall was an art history professor and Department Chair at Finch College, New York City and the University of Benin, Nigeria. He also taught at Fashion Institute of Technology (SUNY) and Washington Square College (NYU), among other institutions. With an FIT George Dorsch Fellowship he spent several months researching traditional art in the cultural festivals of Cameroon's Grassfields leading to an exhibition/catalogue at the QCC Art Gallery (CUNY). In his 60 years teaching Western, African and other art traditions he inspired many students to become art historians and everyone he knew to see the world through a wider lens. His passion for African art - his knowledge, experience in Africa and use of his extensive personal collection - made him an exceptional teacher of the immense range, beauty, inventiveness and power of this art. Marshall also loved music (from Brahms to Zydeco and beyond), far flung travel, films, and cooking. His intellectual curiosity knew no bounds. He was generous, kind, funny, interested in everyone and maker of the best martinis! His bereft wife Caroline Katz Mount, son (from his previous marriage) Christopher (Stephanie) grandson Julian, will miss him always. A spring memorial is planned. Donations may be made to the African Wildlife Fund.

Published by New York Times on Dec. 16, 2018.
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As I read all the tributes I echo all of them. He was a real professor who shared his gift of educating with all of us. We shared the love of African Art and a great moment was seeing him at an opening of the Power of Dress at Newark Museum. After college I lived in Nigeria and there as well as all through my life there are reflections of the foundations of love, knowledge and appreciation of art instilled in me by Marshall Mount. I am blessed to have known him. My sympathy to his wonderful family

Barbara Pitney

January 19, 2019

Dr Marshall Mount was my Professor at Finch and he was a gift! He introduced me to art history in an amazing way that changed my life forever. He was a treasure & he will be missed.

Laura Larsen

January 7, 2019

He was a great teacher at Finch who taught scholarship along with just facts. He was important in the formation of my subsequent intellectual curiosity.

Stephanie Brody-lederman

January 5, 2019

For his Intro to History of Art course utilizing Janson's book at Finch College in 1969, I will be forever grateful to Dr. Mount for the wonderful time spent in his class and weekly seminars at the Met. There was no one more qualified.

Denise Mularoni Decker

January 4, 2019

As a freshman at Finch in 1969, I remember being in awe of his ability to make art come alive. He was an inspirational teacher.

Marie Cavanagh Munroe

January 4, 2019

Rest softly

Rosalie Van Cleef

January 4, 2019

Dr. Mount had a profound effect of me and my understanding and appreciation of art in general. I was not a art history major, but I hold so many memories of all he taught. He was a man with an astonishing scope of interests. I'm grateful for his influences on my life.

Catherine Caporossi Jamieson

January 4, 2019

Bravo for Marshall Mount!!! I went to aging for two years and he was the only reason I stayed and the only class I passed with flying colors cause he made it come alive,!!..Imagine at the time of Warhol and Jasper Johns And NYC in the swinging sixties! he taught me real HISTORY! Thank you for your talent!!!!

Blair Sabol

December 17, 2018

Marshall Mount was my art professor,also at Finch, and I never pass the Market Woman at the Met without remembering his wonderful explanation of the Greek to Roman slide from perfection to reality in art.

Carol Rinzler

December 16, 2018

Marshall Mount was my art history professor at Finch. I went in just thinking I would learn a little bit about art. Even now when I go to museums, I start to remember things I learned in class so many years ago. He was a great teacher.

Ellen Azaria

December 16, 2018

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