I don't know if it is a typo or the author intended to use this word but your intuition that infect would be better word is perfect. Infect generally relates to something (usually a virus or bacterium) that enters a living organism and causes harmful effects. It is also used as a metaphor in computing as in 'infected with a virus' In your example, if the author had used it, it would be as a metaphor. Infest is used either with living organisms or locations such as houses etc and relates to unwanted creatures living on the surface of the skin or in the house ie head lice living in someones hair or cockroaches in a kitchen. Whichever word is used it conveys to the reader that the writer does not seem to enjoy Modernist art! From my explanation I hope you can understand why I agree that infect would be a better choice of words.