Dore Ashton

Dore Ashton (1928-2017) was an influential American art critic and historian who specialized in modern and contemporary art. Her career spanned over five decades, during which she authored more than 30 books and countless articles on art history and criticism. Ashton became the youngest art critic at The New York Times in the 1950s and was particularly significant in documenting and analyzing the Abstract Expressionist movement. She developed close relationships with many of the artists she wrote about, including Mark Rothko, Willem de Kooning, and Robert Motherwell, providing unique insights into their work and creative processes. As a professor at The Cooper Union in New York City and at the School of Visual Arts, Ashton shaped generations of artists and art historians through her teaching. Her most notable works include "The New York School: A Cultural Reckoning" (1972) and "About Rothko" (1983), which remain fundamental texts in modern art scholarship. Beyond American art, Ashton wrote extensively about international modernism and maintained strong connections with artists and intellectuals in Latin America, Europe, and Japan. Her writing style combined scholarly rigor with accessible prose, making complex artistic concepts comprehensible to both academic and general audiences.

Readers consistently note Ashton's ability to make complex art theory accessible through clear, personal writing. Her firsthand accounts of Abstract Expressionist artists provide unique historical perspectives that readers appreciate. What readers liked: - Personal anecdotes and direct experiences with artists - Clear explanations of abstract art concepts - Thoughtful connections between art and broader cultural movements - Balance of academic analysis and readable prose What readers disliked: - Some find her writing repetitive across multiple works - Academic tone can be dense in certain passages - Limited visual reproductions in many editions - Focus sometimes strays from main subject matter Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: "About Rothko" - 4.1/5 (89 ratings) "The New York School" - 4.0/5 (67 ratings) Amazon: "About Rothko" - 4.3/5 (12 reviews) "A Joseph Cornell Album" - 4.7/5 (6 reviews) Multiple readers cite her "About Rothko" as the definitive personal account of the artist's life and work, praising its intimate perspective while maintaining scholarly standards.

A Critical Study of Philip Guston (1976) Detailed examination of American painter Philip Guston's artistic development, methods, and major works spanning his entire career.

The New York School: A Cultural Reckoning (1972) Chronicles the rise of Abstract Expressionism in New York during the 1940s and 1950s, focusing on key artists and their social context.

About Rothko (1983) Biography and analysis of Mark Rothko's life and work, incorporating personal correspondence and interviews with those who knew him.

Noguchi East and West (1992) Comprehensive study of sculptor Isamu Noguchi's work, exploring the influence of both Eastern and Western artistic traditions.

A Reading of Modern Art (1969) Analysis of major movements in modern art from Impressionism through the mid-20th century, examining key works and artistic philosophies.

The Life and Times of the New York School (1978) Historical account of the Abstract Expressionist movement, including its social, political, and cultural context in post-war America.

A Joseph Cornell Album (1974) Exploration of Joseph Cornell's box constructions and collages, examining his techniques, themes, and artistic vision.

A Fable of Modern Art (1980) Analysis of modernism's development through the lens of various artistic movements and their theoretical foundations.

Yes, But... A Critical Study of Philip Guston (1976) Examination of Philip Guston's artistic evolution, particularly focusing on his controversial shift from abstraction to figurative work.

The New York School: A Cultural Reckoning (1973) Detailed study of the artistic, social, and intellectual climate that fostered Abstract Expressionism in mid-century New York.

Robert Hughes wrote extensively about modern art history and criticism with a focus on American and European movements. His books like "The Shock of the New" cover similar territory to Ashton's work on Abstract Expressionism and modernism.

Lucy Lippard specialized in contemporary art criticism and feminist art theory during the same era as Ashton. She documented the conceptual art movement and wrote about the intersection of politics and visual art.

Irving Sandler chronicled the New York School and Abstract Expressionism as a first-hand witness. His books provide historical context and critical analysis of mid-century American art movements.

Barbara Rose focused on American art criticism and the development of abstract painting in the 20th century. She wrote about many of the same artists as Ashton, including Clyfford Still and Helen Frankenthaler.

David Sylvester interviewed and wrote about modern artists while providing critical analysis of their work. His writings on Abstract Expressionism and post-war art movements parallel Ashton's areas of focus.