Art criticism

Not to be confused with Arts criticism.
Monkeys as Judges of Art, 1889, Gabriel von Max

Art criticism is the discussion or evaluation of visual art.[1][2][3] Art critics usually criticize art in the context of aesthetics or the theory of beauty.[2][3] A goal of art criticism is the pursuit of a rational basis for art appreciation[1][2][3] but it is questionable whether such criticism can transcend prevailing socio-political circumstances.[4]

The variety of artistic movements has resulted in a division of art criticism into different disciplines which may each use different criteria for their judgements.[3][5] The most common division in the field of criticism is between historical criticism and evaluation, a form of art history, and contemporary criticism of work by living artists.[1][2][3]

Despite perceptions that art criticism is a much lower risk activity than making art, opinions of current art are always liable to drastic corrections with the passage of time.[2] Critics of the past are often ridiculed for dismissing artists now venerated (like the early work of the Impressionists).[3][6][7] Some art movements themselves were named disparagingly by critics, with the name later adopted as a sort of badge of honour by the artists of the style (e.g., Impressionism, Cubism), with the original negative meaning forgotten.[6][8]

Artists have often had an uneasy relationship with their critics. Artists usually need positive opinions from critics for their work to be viewed and purchased; unfortunately for the artists, only later generations may understand it.[2][9]

There are many different variables that determine judgment of art such as aesthetics, cognition or perception. Art is a human instinct with a diverse range of form and expression. Art can stand alone with an instantaneous judgment, or be viewed with a deeper knowledge. Aesthetic, pragmatic, expressive, formalist, relativist, processional, imitation, ritual, cognition, mimetic and postmodern theories, are some of many theories to criticize and appreciate art. Art criticism and appreciation can be subjective based on personal preference toward aesthetics and form, or it can be based on the elements and principle of design and by social and cultural acceptance.[citation needed]

  1. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference ntifotva was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b c d e f Gemtou, Eleni (2010). "Subjectivity in Art History and Art Criticism" (PDF). Rupkatha Journal on Interdisciplinary Studies in Humanities. 2 (1): 2–13. doi:10.21659/rupkatha.v2n1.02. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Elkins, James (1996). "Art Criticism". In Jane Turner (ed.). Grove Dictionary of Art. Oxford University Press.
  4. ^ Kaplan, Marty. "The curious case of criticism." Jewish Journal. 23 January 2014.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference tekiner2006 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ a b Rewald, John (1973). The History of Impressionism (4th, Revised Ed.). New York: The Museum of Modern Art. p. 323 ISBN 0-87070-360-9
  7. ^ Ackerman, James S. (Winter 1960). "Art History and the Problems of Criticism". Daedalus. 89 (1 – The Visual Arts Today): 253–263. JSTOR 20026565.
  8. ^ Fishman, Solomon (1963). The Interpretation of Art: Essays on the Art Criticism of John Ruskin, Walter Pater, Clive Bell, Robert Fry, and Herbert Read. University of California Press. p. 6.
  9. ^ Seenan, Gerard (20 April 2004). "Painting by ridiculed but popular artist sells for £744,800". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 December 2013.