Robert Hughes dies at 74 after an illness

Australian art critic Robert Hughes has died at age 74 after battling with an unspecified ..

14:48 13 August 2012

Australian art critic Robert Hughes has died at age 74 after battling with an unspecified illness. He died in New York. 

 

Robert, who left Australia in his mid-twenties and settled in London, is a well-known art critic with several published books to his name. In his mid-twenties, he already had a published book entitled ‘The Art of Australia’. When he moved to Britain, he built a name for himself there by writing for The Observer, The Times, and other publications. 

 

In his 30s, he became one of the well-respected arts journalists. He became known for his trademark witty and elegant writing, which helped readers relate to the topic even without basic background knowledge about art. Hughes also dabbled in television while he was in Britain.

 

To pursue further opportunities, Robert then moved to New York in 1970. He worked as an art critic for Time magazine. 

 

The art industry in New York provided Robert with plenty of material to cover, and the critic always spoke true of his thoughts. He wasn’t afraid of calling art empty, dull, or even pretentious, and his mocking scepticism of modern art was not a secret to his readers at Time. 

 

His honesty won him some enemies, but he also had a lot of admirers and people who respected him for his opinion and courage.