The Critic Sees : A Guide to Art Criticism

From Preface: "This is a book that will help the novice art critic to see and to write about works of art. It is the first book to survey the theoretical foundations for art criticism, and to provide the definitions and approaches to art criticism that are foundational to the evaluation of art, and the art appreciation courses that are generally missing a theoretical foundation. Throughout the book, the focus is on the work of art, and choosing the approaches and methods that will provide the best understanding of the work. It is based on actual sensory perceptions and not on the findings of Gestalt psychology. To make this book more accessible to West Coast students, the illustrations have been chosen wherever possible from West Coast museums and galleries. A special feature is the portfolio of sample art criticism with commentaries at the end of the book."