22

MONDAY

Death was once a prerequisite for artistic success. Van Gogh was far from the only artist to attain fame post mortem. On the other hand, Pablo Picasso became an international art star, praised as a genius, in his own lifetime. Andy Warhol measured his early success by whether or not he thought Picasso might have heard of him. Warhol ultimately became as well-known for being an artist as he was for any of his actual art. Of course, Warhol did produce some great art—other self-declared famous artists have dispensed altogether with that bothersome task in their quests for notoriety. As assistant director of Leo Castelli’s trendsetting New York gallery (77th Street Gallery) from 1959 to 1969, Ivan Karp brought attention to a whole generation of deserving artists, including Warhol. This accomplishment lends him particularly worthy credentials to lecture on “Merit and Fame in Art: The Great Divide.” At 7:30 p.m. at the Corcoran Gallery of Art, 17th & New York Ave. NW. $20. For reservations call (202) 639-1700. (Mark W. Sullivan)