William Newton presents the photo “The Blind Leading the Blind” by Pieter Bruegel the Elder.

Colman Rowan | Collegian

 

 

According to Newton, one of the biggest problems with art criticism today is few are brave enough to write the truth. Because of this hesitancy the art critic gives way to what the artist wants to hear. 

“I believe that this is what is currently going on with art criticism today. Most of it is garbage, and the reason that it is garbage is because most of it has become sycophantic, repetitive types of conversations, and it is not real writing,” Newton said. 

William Newton previously reviewed art at The Federalist and now writes for the U.S. edition of The Spectator World Magazine. He is a graduate of the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, the University of Notre Dame Law School, and Sotheby’s Institute of Art in London. He was invited to speak by the art and journalism departments. 

According to Newton, the art world is losing integrity and critics are feeding into it, giving flattery where flattery is not due. 

“It’s the illustration of the parable of the blind leading the blind, that is the nature of art criticism today,” Newton said showing a photo of the painting “The Blind Leading the Blind” by Renaissance artist Pieter Bruegel the Elder. “This is a very good representation of what you’re going to see in the art press, because it’s all about a bunch of people parroting one another and not actually having independent ideas, and not actually sticking their neck out there and saying what they really think, because they don’t want to be rejected by the art establishment.” 

Newton retold the story of the conflict between popular artist of the 19th century, Édouard Manet and the art critic who insulted him, Louis Edmond Duranty. Duranty’s opinion and criticism of Manet as an artist resulted in a duel.

“This is an important moment in art history because the art critic is starting to realize that he actually has a dangerous job,” he said. 

According to Newton, the career of an art critic is just as dangerous as it once was when a writer’s pen led to a duel. Newton said it is a burden to be one of the only art critics who knows it is dangerous, yet continues to write with honesty. 

“It is very sad that I’m one of the only people who can do this, because I’m a decent writer, but I’m not a particularly great one, and I feel the burden of that.” Newton said.

Newton was one of the few art critics who criticized the President Eisenhower Memorial in Washington D.C. “This is one of the worst things in Washington D.C. and that’s saying something,” Newton said.

“I feel as a writer that I owe it to my audience to be honest with them,” Newton said. 

Sophomore Sophie Marshall said she agreed with Newton’s point. 

“Why write about it if you’re not going to be honest,” she said. “Be honest with what you think whether or not the artist likes what you say.” 

Newton said one of the biggest problems in the world of art criticism today is that critics are rewriting press releases and talking about their favorite featured paintings, rather than actually analyzing and critiquing the exhibits.  Many contemporary art critics don’t even see the exhibit before they write the article about it. 

“The person who has written the article will not mention anything about the exhibition itself,” Newton said. “They will tell you ‘see the show’ but they don’t actually see the show.” 

According to Newton a good art critic will have integrity, which means he will respect the artists by going to their exhibits and carefully thinking about what kind of art they have put on display, and they will give their honest opinion about the art all the while being respectful. 

“Don’t just be mean for the sake of being mean, because that’s easy,” Newton said. “But if you’re going to criticize then do it in a way that makes sense.”

Junior Emily Garnes, art minor, said the relationship between the artist and the critic is important for the growth of the artist.

“There is a difference between good criticism and bad criticism; good criticism, a good artist should be thankful for,” Garnes said.“Because whether or not you agree with the criticism there is going to be a shred of truth in it.”

According to Newton the artist himself should have integrity by being bold and sticking to his style, rather than fearing what art critics might say. 

“Have the principle and the courage of your own convictions to be able to say, ‘This is what I am, if you don’t like my work then go find somebody else and if that means that I have to wait longer to get a client so be it,’” Newton said. “I think that’s what artistic integrity is.” 

Newton gave attendees three pieces of advice to aspiring art critics: move to an art capital such as London or New York, self-educate, and take risks.

“If you’re going to write real criticism, like the kind that’s going to get you stabbed by Manet because he doesn’t like what you put in the newspaper, stick your neck out there, go for it,” Newton said.