Art in its Own Terms: Selected Criticism 1935-1975

by Fairfield Porter

Published by Zoland Books, 384 Huron Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.

Genres: Art, Essays, Criticism

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

Reviews

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fairfield Porter (1907-1975) was an art critic and painter who had different take on modernism than the more influential Clement Greenberg. Humane, attentive, respectful, he believed that the best interpretation of the work is merely the best description of it. Instead of art being about ideas or Kantian self-critiques, ideas are found only in "things" (as suggested by poet William Carlos Williams). Porter was realist and humanist in the age of Abstraction, yet defender and pioneering promoter of Willem de Kooning.

This collection of reviews and essays is one of the most compelling texts on art and the nature of artistic perception now in print. I have read my copy several times, underlined with a ruler, and recommend it to friends. But not my copy of course. Buy your own.

[Alcornell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this book is like having a conversation with a thought provoking philosopher. It deserves revisiting regularly. It has earned its place on my household bookshelf. It is more than criticism, it's a guide to thinking and feeling about art, and to experiencing American art especially. It was my love of Porter's paintings that made me want to read these essays, but in the end these essays made me appreciate his paintings so much more than I already did. I am grateful to have new access to De Kooning's work, and finally some small insight into Jackson Pollack's, as well as some introduction to some names I did not previously know. This book is a companionable read, a wonderful collection of reflections and well-honed criticism. It is a book for anyone who loves paintings or timeless works of integrity...or for those who just like to read the words of a lively thinker. How often does that happen?

[Lydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fairfield Porter is one of my favorite painters, and since he is just as well known for his criticism I expected his writing to be as confident and informative as his paintings. It is not. His reviews remind me that written art criticism has not been around more than a century or so. When critique started, perhaps it was friends writing about friends. Later it served as a way for artists to better understand what they themselves were saying. Today we expect concrete depth and understanding--like Peter Schjeldahl from the "New Yorker," writing with wit, humor and comparisons. Porter, writing 1935-75, shows us a period in time, when abstract art made no sense to the reader, and the writer could say most anything--and that was ok, as long as he backed it up with a sturdy review of Bonnard later. This book is a good reference work to be used with other background info on an artist.

[Flora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Impressive intro by Rackstraw Downes, who actually knew Fairfield Porter.
I think I will get this and read it again. Porter is insightful as one who is an artist as well as an art critic. He clearly has studied, read and thought deeply. Therefore, he bears reading slowly and carefully. I will chew his words and thoughts as I progress with my own art.
First to read over is the preface by Rackstraw Downes, an artist I admire. He selected and organized, edited and categorized these essays by Porter. They are placed to bring you up from individual to the general, from the art to the system of art.
For an artist, the words help you organize your own learning, your own observations, and give you clarity. One cannot ask more from a book.