Famous French Art Critics

Louis Aragon was a prominent French poet, novelist, and editor known for his significant contributions to the surrealist movement in France. Alongside André Breton and Philippe Soupault, he co-founded the surrealist review Littérature. Aragon was a dedicated member of the Communist Party and the Académie Goncourt. His literary achievements led to numerous nominations for the Nobel Prize in Literature starting from 1959. Aragon's professional life was marked by his influential role in shaping French literature and his commitment to socialist ideals.

Joris-Karl Huysmans was a French novelist and art critic who supported himself through a 30-year career in the French civil service. He gained fame for his novel "À rebours" (Against the Grain/Against Nature) and was known for his idiosyncratic use of language, large vocabulary, descriptive writing, and satirical wit. Initially associated with Naturalism, he later became linked with the Decadent movement. His works reflected deep pessimism influenced by Arthur Schopenhauer, and he later explored themes of Catholicism and religious conversion in his writing.

Jacqueline Roque was primarily known for her role as the muse and second wife of renowned artist Pablo Picasso. During their 12-year marriage, Picasso created over 400 portraits of her, making her his most depicted subject among all his lovers. Roque's professional life revolved around inspiring and supporting Picasso in his artistic endeavors, with her image becoming a prominent and iconic figure in his body of work. Her influence on Picasso's art and their close relationship defined much of her professional legacy.

Jean Metzinger was a major 20th-century French painter, theorist, writer, critic, and poet. Along with Albert Gleizes, he wrote the first theoretical work on Cubism. Metzinger's early works were influenced by neo-Impressionism and Divisionism. He later experimented with Cubism, becoming an influential artist and theorist of the movement. He co-founded the second phase of Cubism, known as Crystal Cubism, during World War I. Metzinger emphasized the importance of mathematics in art and played a central role in the development and promotion of Cubism in French culture.

Ambroise Vollard was a highly influential French art dealer, renowned for his pivotal role in promoting and supporting contemporary artists at the turn of the twentieth century. He championed and provided crucial exposure for various then-unknown artists, including renowned figures such as Paul Cézanne, Pablo Picasso, and Vincent van Gogh. Vollard's professional endeavors extended beyond dealing art; he was also recognized for his passion for collecting and publishing print series by leading artists, further solidifying his status as a key figure in the art world of his time.

Octave Mirbeau was a versatile French writer known for his success as a novelist, art critic, travel writer, pamphleteer, journalist, and playwright. He gained fame in Europe for his provocative and transgressive novels that delved into themes of violence, abuse, and psychological detachment. Mirbeau's work appealed to both the general public and the literary and artistic avant-garde. His writings have been translated into 30 languages, showcasing his global impact and influence in the world of literature and the arts.

Léon Werth was a prominent French writer and art critic known for his insightful and critical observations on French society during significant historical periods, including World War I, colonization, and World War II. He was highly regarded for his precise and thought-provoking commentary on these events. Werth's close friendships with notable figures such as Octave Mirbeau and Antoine de Saint-Exupéry further enriched his perspective and influence in the literary and intellectual circles of his time.

Nicolas Bourriaud is a prominent figure in the contemporary art world, known for his influential publications such as Relational Aesthetics, Postproduction, and The Exform. He is recognized for coining the term "relational aesthetics" and is associated with a generation of artists who rose to prominence in Europe in the early 1990s. Bourriaud explores the intersections of art, culture, and society in his work, delving into themes such as global modernity, ideology, and the dynamics of art production. He has made significant contributions to the discourse on contemporary art and its relationship to the broader cultural landscape.

Michel Butor was a versatile French writer and intellectual known for his contributions to poetry, novels, essays, art criticism, and translation. He gained recognition for his innovative literary techniques, often challenging traditional narrative structures. Butor was also a respected teacher, sharing his knowledge and passion for literature with others. His work as an art critic demonstrated his keen eye for aesthetics and deep understanding of various artistic movements. Through his diverse professional pursuits, Michel Butor left a lasting impact on the literary and cultural landscape.

Maurice Bardèche was a French art critic and journalist known for his promotion of neo-fascist ideologies in post–World War II Europe. His notable works include The History of Motion Pictures, literary studies on Honoré de Balzac, and political writings advocating fascism and revisionism, including Holocaust denial. Influenced by figures like Pierre Drieu La Rochelle and José Antonio Primo de Rivera, Bardèche's work introduced propaganda techniques and ideological structures of neo-fascism and Holocaust denial. Considered a key figure in regenerating far-right ideas in Europe during the 1950–1960s.

Louis Leroy was a French 19th-century printmaker, painter, and playwright. He gained recognition as a journalist and art critic for the French satirical newspaper Le Charivari. Leroy is famously remembered for coining the term "impressionists" in a review printed in Le Charivari in 1874. His article, titled The Exhibition of the Impressionists, featured a dialogue critiquing the work of artists like Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro, and Edgar Degas. Leroy's critique sparked the adoption of the term by the artists themselves, leading to the establishment of the influential Impressionist art movement.

Félix Fénéon was a prominent French art critic, gallery director, writer, and anarchist in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is known for coining the term Neo-Impressionism in 1886 to describe the work of artists like Georges Seurat, whom he passionately supported and promoted. Fénéon's contributions to the art world were significant, and his influence extended beyond his contemporaries. His legacy is further celebrated through the establishment of the Fénéon Prize in 1949, funded by his art collection's proceeds.

Champfleury, born Jules François Felix Fleury-Husson, was a French art critic and novelist known for his support of the Realist movement. He began writing art criticism in 1844 under the pen name "Champfleury" for the journal L'Artiste, advocating for artists such as Gustave Courbet and El Greco. He edited the periodical Le réalisme and authored novels, including the notable work Les bourgeois de Molinchart. Champfleury's influence extended to the promotion of artists like the Le Nain brothers and Maurice Quentin de La Tour, and he served as Chief of Collections at the Sèvres porcelain factory.

Jules Alfred Huot de Goncourt was a renowned French writer known for collaborating with his brother Edmond on various literary works. Despite his short life, he left a lasting impact on the literary world. His contributions to French literature continue to be celebrated through the prestigious Prix Goncourt, which is awarded annually in his honor. Jules de Goncourt's legacy is marked by his significant influence on the literary landscape and his enduring contributions to the world of letters.