Harold Rosenberg: The Life and Legacy of a Pioneering Art Critic

Harold Rosenberg was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1906. He studied philosophy at Columbia University, where he was a student of the renowned philosopher John Dewey. After graduating from Columbia, Rosenberg worked as a journalist and editor for various publications, including The New Republic and Commentary.

Harold Rosenberg: A Critic‘s Life

by Debra Bricker Balken

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	6340 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	656 pages
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In the late 1940s, Rosenberg began writing about art for The New Yorker. His articles on the emerging generation of abstract expressionist painters, such as Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, and Mark Rothko, were some of the first to recognize the significance of their work. Rosenberg's writing was characterized by its sharp wit, incisive insights, and unflinching commitment to the new. He was not afraid to challenge conventional wisdom, and he often wrote against the grain of established opinion.

In 1959, Rosenberg published his most influential work, The Tradition of the New. In this book, Rosenberg argued that abstract expressionism was a new kind of art that broke with the past. He saw abstract expressionism as a radical departure from traditional painting, and he believed that it represented a new way of seeing the world. The Tradition of the New was a major critical success, and it helped to solidify Rosenberg's reputation as one of the most important art critics of his time.

Rosenberg continued to write about art for The New Yorker until his death in 1978. He also taught art history at various universities, including the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Chicago. Rosenberg was a prolific writer, and he published numerous books and articles on art. He was also a gifted lecturer, and he was known for his engaging and thought-provoking talks.

Harold Rosenberg was one of the most influential art critics of the 20th century. His writings on art helped to shape the development of abstract expressionism, and he played a major role in bringing this new movement to the attention of the public. Rosenberg was a brilliant and passionate writer, and his work continues to be read and studied by art historians and critics today.

Legacy

Harold Rosenberg's legacy is complex and multifaceted. He was a pioneer in the field of art criticism, and his writings helped to shape the development of abstract expressionism. He was also a gifted teacher, and he inspired a generation of students to pursue careers in art history and criticism. Rosenberg's work continues to be read and studied by art historians and critics today, and he is considered one of the most important art critics of the 20th century.

Some of Rosenberg's most important contributions to art criticism include:

• His recognition of the significance of abstract expressionism
• His insights into the creative process
• His development of a new critical vocabulary
• His commitment to the new

Rosenberg's work has had a profound impact on the field of art criticism, and his legacy continues to inspire new generations of critics and scholars.

Harold Rosenberg was a brilliant and passionate art critic who played a major role in shaping the development of abstract expressionism. His writings on art were characterized by their sharp wit, incisive insights, and unflinching commitment to the new. Rosenberg was not afraid to challenge conventional wisdom, and he often wrote against the grain of established opinion. His work continues to be read and studied by art historians and critics today, and he is considered one of the most important art critics of the 20th century.

Harold Rosenberg: A Critic‘s Life

by Debra Bricker Balken

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	6340 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	656 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE