The Origin Of Art Criticism And What Remains Of It Today

Abstract

After initially framing the contemporary crisis of art criticism in neo-Adornian terms, the article offers a review of the historical and philosophical foundations of art criticism coming mainly from the perspective of Jena Romanticism. Based on the latter, it traces a sound distinction between art criticism and other kinds of discourse about art. Finally, it makes critical comments on art journalism and contemporary discourses that favor public mediation in lieu of reflection, but that have nevertheless occupied the social space of art criticism.

Keywords

• Art criticism
• Reflection
• Romanticism