Marian Ruth Goodman

With profound sorrow, the Goodman family announces the passing of Marian Goodman, who died peacefully on January 22, 2026. A visionary gallerist, a champion of artists and one of the most influential figures in contemporary art , Marian transformed the cultural landscape with clarity of purpose, intellect and unwavering integrity.

For more than six decades, Marian elevated the role of the gallerist into a vocation grounded not in commerce but in conviction. Guided by an extraordinary eye and steadfast belief in the power of ideas, her commitment to rigor and experimentation shaped generations of artists, scholars and viewers.

Marian’s life in art began early. Raised in New York City, she was profoundly influenced by her father, an accountant with a deep passion for modern painting. Together they visited museums,

discussed art and built a vocabulary for looking - an education that remained foundational throughout her life. Marian attended Emerson college, graduating with a degree in history and later from Columbia with a degree in art history.

In 1965, she co-founded Multiples, Inc., a groundbreaking art publishing company that collaborated closely with leading artists to produce editions of ambitious scope and conceptual clarity. This spirit of collaboration and intellectual generosity laid the foundation for the gallery she opened in New York in 1977- a space defined not by trends or market pressures but by artistic vision. He gallery offered artists the freedom to take risks and forge enduring bodies of work. Recognizing the natural dialog between American and European artistic developments, Marian expanded to Paris in 1995, establishing a transatlantic presence long before globalism reshaped the art world.

Throughout her career, Marian was honored for her contributions to culture and civic life. In 2012 she was awarded an honorary doctorate in humane letters from City University of New York in recognition of her profound influence in the arts. In 2013 she received the Legion d’Honneur award and in 2023 was named Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters from the French government. Yet accolades never defined her. Marian was known for her warmth, humility, meticulous intelligence, and boundless curiosity. She listened deeply. She read widely. She questioned everything. She treated artists not as clients but as collaborators- often as family- and dedicated her life to ensuring that challenging, meaningful work could flourish.

She leaves behind not only her family and many beloved friends, but also a global community of artists, colleagues, and admirers who continue to be shaped by her vision. She preferred to let the work speak and created a gallery environment with international presence defined by a belief that art, at its best, deepens the understanding of civic life. Many credited her with providing the support- and freedom- necessary for artists to pursue ambitious, often unconventional projects that reshaped the visual and cultural discourse of their time.

Marian is survived by her daughter, Amy Goodman-Kiefer and her husband Joseph Kiefer, as well as her son Michael Goodman and his wife, Gwen Goodman.

Marian’s legacy endures in every artist she championed, every work she helped bring into the world, and every life she quietly but profoundly touched. Her belief in the transformative power of art remains a beacon - steady, generous and radiant.

A celebration of Marian’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Andrew Goodman Foundation or the Humane Society.