Tag Archives: criticism

The Pain of Poetry

Posted on August 20, 2020 by JMN

My correspondent in life of the mind states my state of mind neatly and plainly in the matter of phosphorescent gargoyle exhalations swaddled in effulgent gossamer — I mean to say prosody. Now I remember why I, and doubtless others … Continue reading →

Posted in Anthology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Gerhard Richter Voiced

Posted on March 8, 2020 by JMN

For 60 years, he has treated uncertainty as an ethical duty. … That is the priceless example he offers today’s young artists, whose every mistake or hesitation gets pounced on by digital Savonarolas. So much dogmatism out there, so much … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Quotations | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

A. O. Scott on Sontag

Posted on December 10, 2019 by JMN

The credit on this piece says “A.O. Scott is a chief film critic at The Times and the author of ‘Better Living Through Criticism: How to Think About Art, Pleasure, Beauty, and Truth.’” I read him frequently. (Strictly as a … Continue reading →

Posted in Quotations | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Drawing in Jail

Posted on October 22, 2019 by JMN

Hilarie M. Sheets writes an article about how people have coped with incarceration by drawing (“For the Incarcerated, Drawing Is a Lifeline,” NYTimes, 9-20-19). What interests me on the margins of this interesting article is the innocent tell favoring depiction … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Critic Almost Ran Out of Praise

Posted on October 11, 2019 by JMN

Here’s a review of Nick Cave’s album “Ghosteen” that has a left-handed conclusion. On one level, it shouldn’t be surprising that it’s as good as it is: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds have been in a career-high purple patch … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Words With Eyes

Posted on October 6, 2019 by JMN

Viewing a Kirchner painting always makes me want to say more than I know how. I’ve seen this painting several times. A picture best speaks for itself, but a good art critic’s words can add to its impact. In “Berlin … Continue reading →

Posted in Quotations | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Language As Landscape

Posted on June 4, 2019 by JMN

“Deadwood” (HBO, 2004-2006) created by David Milch, repelled and astounded me when I caught it adventitiously in re-run several years ago. I couldn’t look away from it as I kept thinking, “What the hell is this? It’s amazing!” I told … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Poetry for the Kitchen Slops Bucket

Posted on June 4, 2019 by JMN

Lucasta Miller is the author of “L.E.L.: The Lost Life and Scandalous Death of Letitia Elizabeth Landon, the Celebrated ‘Female Byron.’” Landon’s “scandalous” death occurred at her own hand with prussic acid at age 36. Even today, Letitia Landon provokes … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Second Take

Posted on June 1, 2019 by JMN

Learning something about a picture — how it’s made or its origin, for example — can trigger or enhance appreciation. I wonder if an artist really wants that? Wouldn’t he or she prefer that the work commune directly and totally … Continue reading →

Posted in Anthology | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment