“Glancing at one or two of Braque’s paintings in a casual stroll through a museum cannot compare with experiencing, side by side and chronologically, many of the great paintings that established him as a pioneer of modernism,” explains Michael Findlay, director of Acquavella Galleries and one of the masterminds behind a powerful Georges Braque retrospective that opened yesterday at the space, located on New York’s Upper East Side.

Curated by Dr. Dieter Buchhart, a specialist in 20th century art, “Georges Braque: Pioneer of Modernism” is an impressive, meticulously conceived exhibition of works on loan from art institutions and private collections across the globe.

With more than 40 works on display, the show catalogues Braque’s evolution to artistic genius, surveying first his brief stints with Fauvism and Post-Impressionism, which paved the way to his role as the creator, along with Pablo Picasso, of Cubism.

Mr. Findlay describes Acquavella Galleries’ intentions for the show by saying, “In an era when the public dialogue is dominated by artists (past and present) whose value and quality is judged by random auction records, we want to focus attention on the astonishing career of an artist who inspired just as many followers as did his friend with a household name.”

“Georges Braque: Pioneer of Modernism” will be on view at Acquavella Galleries October 12 through November 30.