Note on Art

Note on Art

A personal note from LeRoy Neiman on art critics, and his critical reception.

This note from LeRoy Neiman gives a personal commentary on art criticism and critics. Neiman, despite his many successes was largely rebuffed by the critics of his time. As a result, he maintained a lifelong skepticism towards the craft. The record's hyperbolic tone—which charges critics with being “insidious,” “jealous,” “flirting,” and “fickle”—then points to the degree of Neiman’s aforementioned frustration. That said, the note is one of the most polemical in the artist's collection.

LeRoy Neiman

LeRoy Neiman Foundation

LeRoy Neiman Foundation

c. 1990-2011

LeRoy Neiman

Property of the LeRoy Neiman Foundation; please consult the organization's archivist for further details.

Notes

Image/jpeg

English

Document

LN_Notes_1451

New York (N.Y.) New York

Critic
Invidious – envious malignant ill will provoke envy, hate, odious.
evil-minded the writer hates a successful forever.
Feed on dirt and venom – (contemptuous) A PAMPHLETEER
Desultory talk
Insipid witticisms; some scandal, false reasoning, and good deal of slander.
If not flirting, they are jealous, or they quarrel. Their trivialities, their pride, their stupidities are tiresome
The type of person that like to see art that was difficult to make. What is merely difficult gives no lasting pleasure. Make my painting look like they were easy to create so the viewer can relax and enjoy. Actually they are the result of hard work and complicated process. If they viewer (makes) demands on the work and himself he will soon be fulfilled

Permanent marker on paper.