Robert Hughes (critic)

Robert Hughes was a world-renowned art critic, writer, and television producer.

He became a central figure in the global art world during the 20th century. In 1997, Robert Boynton of The New York Times called him the most famous art critic in the world. Hughes was known for his ability to blend art criticism with high-quality literature. His writing was described as powerful, elegant, and sometimes quite sharp. He did not just judge art; he gave criticism a sense of moral purpose and nobility.

Hughes followed a specific process to communicate his ideas to the public. He used both the written word and the moving image to explain complex artistic shifts. As a critic, he analyzed how art reflected human experience and emotion. In his television work, he acted as a narrator and guide through history. He would often present a central premise, such as how modern art moved away from replicating nature. Through his books and documentaries, he summarized the essential qualities of various movements. This helped viewers and readers understand why certain art mattered at specific times.

His career involved several distinct roles and media formats. As a journalist, he held a long-standing position as an art critic for TIME magazine. He also worked for many British publications, including The Spectator, The Daily Telegraph, and The Observer. As a television producer, he created major series like The Shock of the New. This eight-part BBC series explored the development of modern art since the Impressionists. He also produced documentaries, such as Goya: Crazy Like a Genius, which aired on BBC Four. Additionally, he was a historian, writing deeply researched books about social history.

Hughes's journey began in Sydney, Australia, where he was born in 1938. While studying at the University of Sydney, he joined a group of intellectuals known as the "Push." This group included notable figures like Germaine Greer and Clive James. After leaving Australia for Europe in 1964, he lived in Italy before settling in London in 1965. In 1970, his career shifted toward the United States when he moved to New York. This move allowed him to become an influential voice in the American art scene.

His professional impact is measured by both critical success and massive popularity. His book The Fatal Shore, published in 1986, became an international best-seller. This work studied the British convict system and early European settlement in Australia. His television series The Shock of the New was a major critical success. It was described as the best synoptic introduction to modern art ever written. Even his attempts at mainstream journalism were notable, such as his brief tenure on the ABC newsmagazine 20/20 in 1978.

Hughes held very specific and often controversial opinions about various artists. He championed painters like Frank Auerbach, Lucian Freud, and Pierre Bonnard. He famously called contemporary Australian indigenous art the last great art movement of the 20th century. However, he was often dismissive of postmodernism and neo-expressionism. He criticized artists like Julian Schnabel, comparing his work to the acting of Sylvester Stallone. He distrusted art that sought novelty for its own sake. He also disliked a conservative style that avoided taking any creative risks.

Throughout his life, Hughes navigated significant personal and professional challenges. He survived a near-fatal car accident in Western Australia in 1999. He was in a coma for five weeks following the collision. He also experienced personal loss, including the death of his son, Danton, in 2001. Despite these difficulties, he continued to write and produce work. He eventually passed away in New York City on 6 August 2012. He died at Calvary Hospital after a long illness. His legacy remains tied to his ability to make art criticism feel vital and meaningful.