Hills’ essay traces Alfred H. Barr Jr.’s formulation of Abstract Expressionism as the embodiment of US values of freedom and artistic quality during the Cold War. Drawing on the Museum’s archives and Barr’s handbook to the collection “What is Modern Painting?” published in multiple editions and languages, she analyzes this influential guidebook to the collection, that was intended for teachers and general audiences. Barr’s didactic project, exemplified by the chart classifying Cubism and abstract art in the 1936 exhibition catalogue, continued with this book. This case study exemplifies how through popular education and publications, the museum promoted its version of the post-War canon. (MMB)