The Detroit Institute of Arts: A Visitor's Guide

The Detroit Institute of Arts is blessed with large, encyclopedic and significant collections, the legacy of more than ten decades of public-spirited Detroiters. This book surveys the contributions of the many individuals whose efforts have put the institution in the first rank of world museums.

Founded in 1885 by a group of affluent Detroiters who wished to establish an institution to bring the attributes of culture to their growing city, the DIA today is a place for aesthetic pleasure, quiet contemplation, and individual discovery- a cultural asset for the city and the state.

William Peck traces the development of the DIA-from the early patrons whose vision launched the project; through its expansion, major acquisitions, and changes in leadership; to its position in 1991 as one of the top museums in the country.