Jed Perl

Jed Perl is an American art critic and cultural commentator who has written extensively about visual art, particularly modern and contemporary works. He served as the art critic for The New Republic for 20 years and has contributed to major publications including The New York Times Book Review, Harper's, and The New Criterion. Among his notable works are "New Art City: Manhattan at Mid-Century" (2005), which examines the New York art world of the 1940s and 1950s, and "Calder: The Conquest of Time" (2017), the first biography of American sculptor Alexander Calder. His book "Authority and Freedom: A Defense of the Arts" (2022) presents arguments about artistic freedom and creative expression. Perl is known for his sometimes contrarian views on contemporary art and his defense of traditional artistic values. He has been critical of what he sees as the commercialization of the art world and has written extensively about the relationship between modernism and tradition. His writing style combines historical analysis with aesthetic judgment, and he frequently examines the broader cultural context surrounding artistic developments. Perl currently holds the position of Critic-at-Large for The New York Review of Books.

Readers appreciate Perl's deep knowledge of art history and his willingness to challenge popular opinions in the art world. Many note his accessible writing style when explaining complex artistic concepts, particularly in "New Art City" and his Calder biography. Readers value his independent perspective and critique of market-driven art, though some find his positions overly conservative. A common criticism is that his prose can become dense and academic. Several Amazon reviewers noted his Calder biography contains too many tangential details. On Goodreads: - "New Art City" - 3.9/5 (89 ratings) - "Calder: The Conquest of Time" - 4.0/5 (96 ratings) - "Authority and Freedom" - 3.8/5 (45 ratings) On Amazon: - "New Art City" - 4.1/5 (31 reviews) - "Calder" biography - 4.3/5 (47 reviews) - "Authority and Freedom" - 4.2/5 (28 reviews) One reader called him "a voice of sanity in today's art world," while another described his writing as "erudite but occasionally tedious."

New Art City: Manhattan at Mid-Century (2005) A history examining the art world of New York City from the 1940s through the 1960s, focusing on artists, critics, dealers, and cultural figures who shaped the period.

Antoine's Alphabet: Watteau and His World (2008) An exploration of the French Rococo painter Jean-Antoine Watteau through 26 alphabetically arranged essays.

Magicians and Charlatans (2012) A collection of essays about art criticism and the contemporary art world, originally published in The New Republic.

Authority and Freedom: A Defense of the Arts (2022) An analysis of artistic freedom and the relationship between creativity and structure in various art forms.

Paris Without End: On French Art Since World War I (1988) A study of French art in the twentieth century, examining major movements and artists after the First World War.

Art in America 1945-1970 (2014) A compilation of primary source writings about American art from the Library of America series, edited and introduced by Perl.

Calder: The Conquest of Time: The Early Years: 1898-1940 (2017) A biographical study covering the first four decades of sculptor Alexander Calder's life and career.

Alexander Calder: The Conquest of Space: The Later Years: 1940-1976 (2020) The second volume of Perl's Calder biography, focusing on the artist's mature period through his death.

Robert Hughes writes about art history and criticism with a focus on modernism and contemporary movements. His works combine cultural context with analysis of specific artists and periods.

John Berger examines the relationship between art and society through a sociological lens. His writings explore how visual culture shapes human perception and understanding.

Peter Schjeldahl covers contemporary art through essays and reviews that blend historical knowledge with observations about current trends. His work emphasizes the direct experience of viewing art and its cultural significance.

Dave Hickey writes about art through the intersection of popular culture, economics, and aesthetics. His essays address the art market and institutional structures while examining specific works and artists.

Arthur Danto analyzes art philosophy and aesthetics with particular attention to how meaning is created in contemporary works. His writings examine the theoretical foundations that define and validate art in different periods.