Art Critics

Art critics are the people who specialize in analyzing, interpreting, and evaluating art in the context of aesthetics or the theory of beauty. Art criticism holds a significant place in understanding the nuances of art, and strives to pursue a rational basis for appreciation of art. Art criticism is probably as old as the history of art itself, though the term was coined much later, in the 18th century. English painter Jonathan Richardson is credited to have coined the term 'art criticism' in 1719. Regarded as one of the three foremost painters of his time, he also wrote extensively on art. Along with his son, he wrote the book ‘An Account of Some of the Statues, Bas-Reliefs, Drawings, and Pictures in Italy,’ now considered a masterpiece on art criticism. Another renowned art critic was John Ruskin, widely regarded the leading English art critic of the Victorian era. He was especially influential in the latter half of the 19th century. American John Hoyer Updike, Arthur Coleman Danto, and Karen Wilkin are counted amongst the famed art critics of the 20th century. Coming to the contemporary era, Eleanor Heartney, Rebecca Solnit, and David Hickey are the most influential art critics. Browse on to know about the famous art critics from all over the world.