Thinking about Art

Fülszöveg

In this lively collection of essays, originally printed in The Times between 1963 and 1967, Mr Lucie Smith attempts to resolve many of the enigmas that so puzzle those outside the immediate confines of the art world. He faces up to the problem of communication and to the puzzlement that many intelligent people feel when faced with an abstract, pop or hardedge painting. He is witty and constructive on the Colour Supplement glorification of the artist instead of his work, and equally informative on the effects and defects of television presentation of painting and painters to a massive, and largely new, audience. The most fascinating and valuable feature of these essays, however, stems from the author's constant endeavour to define and anatomise the function and role of the critic vis á vis contemporary society. With this theme always before him he draws such disparate subjects as the work of contemporaries such as Dávid Hockney and an exhibition of Greek sculpture into an... Tovább

Fülszöveg

In this lively collection of essays, originally printed in The Times between 1963 and 1967, Mr Lucie Smith attempts to resolve many of the enigmas that so puzzle those outside the immediate confines of the art world. He faces up to the problem of communication and to the puzzlement that many intelligent people feel when faced with an abstract, pop or hardedge painting. He is witty and constructive on the Colour Supplement glorification of the artist instead of his work, and equally informative on the effects and defects of television presentation of painting and painters to a massive, and largely new, audience. The most fascinating and valuable feature of these essays, however, stems from the author's constant endeavour to define and anatomise the function and role of the critic vis á vis contemporary society. With this theme always before him he draws such disparate subjects as the work of contemporaries such as Dávid Hockney and an exhibition of Greek sculpture into an intellectual unity which give strength and originality to his book. This book is alsó available in hardcover at 42s (L2.10). Somé press opinions This is a stimulating and useful book which should enlarge interest and develop vocabulary. It will set you thinking and talking about art.' Hiberniá 'A valuable guide an art critic with a cool voice and a mind obviously geared to the business in hand, not missing his priorities, actually looking at pictures I take him to my heart immediately.' Cork Examiner 'As intermediary between the lay public and contemporary art. . . he has few rivals. Indeed his great virtue . . . is to set up, not signposts for the bewildered traveller, but valid question-posts at strategic viewing points.' Times Literary Supplement CALDER & BOYARS LTD 18 Brewer Street London W1 SBN 7145 0553 6 Vissza