Famous British Art Critics

Waldemar Januszczak is a prominent Polish-British art critic, television documentary producer, and presenter. He has held the position of art critic at reputable publications such as The Guardian and The Sunday Times, where he gained recognition for his insightful commentary. Januszczak is a two-time recipient of the Critic of the Year award, showcasing his expertise and influence in the art world. Through his work in various media platforms, he has become known for his engaging presentations and deep understanding of art history and contemporary art practices.

Brian Sewell was a prominent English art critic known for his work with the Evening Standard. He gained fame for his critical views on conceptual art and the Turner Prize. Sewell was widely recognized for his controversial opinions, with The Guardian dubbing him "Britain's most famous and controversial art critic" and the Evening Standard referring to him as the "nation’s best art critic." His writings and critiques left a lasting impact on the art world, solidifying his reputation as a significant figure in art criticism.

Clive Bell was a prominent art critic and theorist known for developing the concept of significant form in art. He published his theory in the book "Art" in 1914, defining it as the combination of lines and colors that evoke aesthetic emotions. Bell was associated with the Bloomsbury Group and his theory influenced many artists within the group. He was also recognized for his pacifist beliefs during World War I, advocating against military force in his pamphlet "War Mongers" in 1938.

Roger Fry was an English painter and critic, known for his role as a scholar of the Old Masters and an advocate of Post-Impressionism in French painting. He played a pivotal role in raising public awareness of modern art in Britain, emphasizing the formal properties of paintings over their representational content. Described as a significant influence on taste by art historian Kenneth Clark, Fry's impact was felt primarily in the Anglophone world, where he introduced audiences to recent artistic developments from the Parisian avant-garde.

Mark R. Beech was a British author, journalist, and broadcaster known for his expertise in the origins of names in rock music. He authored two books on this topic and wrote columns about music and the arts. Beech served as the editor of DANTE magazine and was a fellow of the UK Royal Society of Arts. His professional life was centered around his passion for music and the arts, and he made significant contributions to these fields through his writing and editorial work.

Patrick Heron was a British abstract and figurative artist, critic, writer, and polemicist who lived in Zennor, Cornwall. Recognized as a leading painter of his generation, he was influenced by artists such as Cézanne, Matisse, Braque, and Bonnard. Heron made significant contributions to modernist painting through his critical writing and art. His works are known for their exploration of color and light, encompassing both figurative and non-figurative styles. Exhibited widely throughout his career, Heron's work focused on making all areas of the painting of equal importance.

Herbert Read was an English art historian, poet, literary critic, and philosopher known for his influential writings on art and its role in education. He co-founded the Institute of Contemporary Arts and was a prominent English anarchist. Read was also one of the earliest English writers to engage with existentialism. He co-edited the British edition of The Collected Works of C. G. Jung with Michael Fordham and Gerhard Adler, showcasing his diverse interests and contributions to the fields of art, psychology, and philosophy.

Sacheverell Sitwell was a prominent English writer and critic known for his expertise in baroque architecture, art, and music. Throughout his prolific career, he authored around 50 volumes of poetry and produced an equal number of works on various subjects such as art, music, architecture, and travel. Sitwell's contributions to the literary and artistic world have left a lasting impact, establishing him as a respected figure in the realms of cultural criticism and creative expression.

James Evershed Agate was an English diarist and theatre critic active between the two world wars. He began his journalism career in his late twenties, working for The Manchester Guardian before becoming a drama critic for publications such as The Saturday Review, The Sunday Times, and the BBC. Known for his insightful critiques of the British theatre scene, Agate also published novels, translated plays, and released collections of theatre essays and reviews. His work covered a wide range of topics including sports, social gossip, health, and finance.

Lawrence Alloway was an English art critic and curator known for his significant contributions to the art world. A member of the Independent Group in the UK during the 1950s, he later became a prominent figure in the US art scene from 1961. Alloway coined the term "mass popular art" in the mid-1950s and popularized the term "Pop Art" in the 1960s, emphasizing art's connection to contemporary popular culture. His work highlighted the power of images and their influence on society.

Myfanwy Piper was a prominent British art critic and opera librettist known for her significant contributions to the arts. With a keen eye and insightful analysis, she made a lasting impact on the art world through her critiques and writings. Piper's talent extended beyond criticism, as she also excelled in the realm of opera by creating librettos that added depth and emotion to performances. Her professional legacy is characterized by a deep passion for the arts and a dedication to fostering creativity and expression.

Aubrey Menen was a prominent British writer, novelist, satirist, and theatre critic known for his insightful exploration of nationalism and cultural identity. His works often delved into the complexities of his mixed Irish-Indian heritage juxtaposed with his traditional British upbringing. Menen's writing style was characterized by a clever and good-humored approach to controversial topics, as evidenced in his acclaimed works like the Dead Man in the Silver Market. Throughout his career, Menen's essays and novels challenged conventional perspectives on identity and excellence with wit and intelligence.

William Martin Conway, 1st Baron Conway of Allington, was a versatile figure with a diverse professional background. He was an English art critic, politician, cartographer, and mountaineer, known for his expeditions in Europe, South America, and Asia. Conway held various university positions and served as a conservative member of the House of Commons representing the Combined English Universities from 1918 to 1931. Additionally, he authored several books on art and exploration, showcasing his expertise in these fields.

David Bernard Sylvester CBE was a prominent British art critic and curator known for his significant contributions to the art world. Despite lacking formal arts education, he played a crucial role in promoting renowned modern artists such as Francis Bacon, Joan Miró, and Lucian Freud throughout his extensive career. Sylvester's influence and expertise were widely recognized, establishing him as a key figure in the contemporary art scene. His work in advocating for and showcasing modern artists left a lasting impact on the art world.

Iwona Maria Blazwick OBE is a prominent British art critic and lecturer, known for her significant contributions to the art world. She served as the Director of the Whitechapel Art Gallery in London for over two decades, playing a pivotal role in promoting contemporary art and nurturing emerging talents. Blazwick is recognized for her pivotal role in discovering and supporting artists like Damien Hirst, showcasing their work to a wider audience. Her dedication to advancing the careers of young artists has left a lasting impact on the art community.