Marian Goodman, the revered contemporary art dealer who built one of the most influential galleries of the past half-century, died in Los Angeles on Thursday at age 97. Goodman launched Marian Goodman Gallery in New York in 1977 after 15 years running an editions business, and over six decades she championed a roster of challenging artists including Gerhard Richter, John Baldessari, Julie Mehretu, Tacita Dean, and Pierre Huyghe. Her gallery operated on West 57th Street in Manhattan with branches in London and Paris, and she was awarded the Commandeur of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres and the Légion of Honor by France.
Goodman's death marks the end of an era for the art world, as she was widely regarded as a titan of contemporary art dealing—known for her exceptional eye, fierce loyalty to artists, and uncompromising standards. Her program shaped museum exhibitions globally and influenced generations of dealers. In her final years, the gallery underwent significant transitions, including artist defections to rivals like David Zwirner and Gagosian, a move to Tribeca, and a succession plan that elevated four directors to partners. Her legacy endures through the artists she nurtured and the institutional respect she commanded.