Robert Hughes

Robert Hughes was an influential Australian-born art critic, writer, and broadcaster, widely regarded as one of the most eloquent and incisive voices in the art world. Born in Sydney in 1938, Hughes moved to Europe in the 1960s, where he began a distinguished career in art journalism. He became internationally known as the chief art critic for Time magazine and later for his television series and books, which brought art history to a broader audience with clarity and passion.

Throughout his life, Hughes combined erudition with a sharp wit, producing works such as "The Shock of the New" and "Nothing If Not Critical", which explored modern art and its cultural context. His writing was characterized by a fearless honesty, often challenging prevailing trends and questioning art market excesses. He believed in the enduring value of great art and dismissed superficiality with memorable verbal precision.

Among his many memorable statements, Hughes once said, "The new job of art is to sit on the wall and get more expensive." Another of his notable quotes captures his humanistic approach: "Art should make us better — not just richer in money, but in mind and spirit." These words reflect his enduring conviction that art’s worth lies not in its price tag but in its power to enrich human life.