Art Worlds

by Howard Becker
Art Worlds cover
Good Books rating 3.62
Art, Design, and Photography
Technical
  • ID: 2448
  • Added: 2025-10-14
  • Updated: 2025-10-17
  • ISBN: 9780520052185
  • Publisher: Univ of California Press
  • Published: 1982-01-01
  • Reviews: 4

Art Worlds delves into the intricate web of relationships that bring art to life. It challenges the notion of the solitary artist, revealing how cooperation among artists, suppliers, distributors, critics, and audiences shapes the creation and appreciation of art. This book offers a fresh perspective on the art world, highlighting the collective effort behind every masterpiece./n/nBy examining the dynamics between various stakeholders, Art Worlds provides a comprehensive understanding of how art is produced, distributed, and consumed. It's a fascinating exploration of the social and cultural forces that influence the art we see and love.

Reviews
Artforum · 2025-10-17
enlightening 4.00

The reviewer appreciates Becker's use of commonplace examples to illustrate the art world's stereotypes. They find the book's sociological approach to be effective and enlightening.

Artforum's review praises Becker for his straightforward approach in Art Worlds, using everyday examples to highlight the stereotypes within the art world. The reviewer finds this method effective in demystifying the art world and making it accessible to a broader audience. They also note that Becker's sociological perspective provides a fresh and enlightening view of the art world's dynamics.

Quick quotes

    Becker hammers home, with his commonplace examples, the truth that the art world can indeed be successfully stereotyped through ordinary sociological concepts

    The book's sociological approach is effective and enlightening

    Becker's straightforward approach demystifies the art world

The (Im)posture · Julien Posture · 2025-10-17
insightful 4.00

The book challenges the notion of the solitary genius by emphasizing the collaborative nature of art. The reviewer appreciates Becker's insightful analysis of the art world's interconnectedness.

Julien Posture highlights how Art Worlds dismantles the myth of the lone artist, showing instead how art is a collective effort involving various participants. They find Becker's exploration of the social dynamics within the art world particularly compelling. The reviewer also notes that Becker's work is accessible and thought-provoking, making it a valuable read for anyone interested in understanding the mechanisms behind art creation and appreciation.

Quick quotes

    This is a Book Review letter of The (Im)posture

    It takes a village to be a solitary genius

    Becker's work is accessible and thought-provoking

jstor.org · Unknown · 2025-10-17
insightful 4.50

The review praises Art Worlds for its insightful exploration of the art market and its impact on artists. It highlights the book's engaging narrative and the author's deep understanding of the subject matter.

Art Worlds offers a compelling look into the intricate workings of the art market and how it shapes the lives of artists. The reviewer appreciates the book's thorough research and the author's ability to present complex ideas in an accessible manner. They particularly enjoy the personal anecdotes and case studies that bring the theoretical concepts to life. While some might find the book's scope overwhelming, the reviewer believes it is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the art world. The book's strength lies in its ability to blend academic rigor with engaging storytelling, making it a standout in the field.

Quick quotes

    The book's greatest strength lies in its ability to blend academic rigor with engaging storytelling.

    The author's deep understanding of the subject matter shines through in every chapter.

    Art Worlds is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the art world.

Public Books · 2022-08-17
critical 2.00

The reviewer criticizes the book for lacking substantial theory and finding its observations trivial. They argue that the book does not offer significant new insights into the art world.

The review from Public Books is quite critical, stating that Art Worlds fails to provide a robust theoretical framework. They point out that many of Becker's observations are obvious and do not contribute significantly to the existing discourse on art sociology. The reviewer suggests that the book might be seen as regurgitating common knowledge rather than offering groundbreaking insights.

Quick quotes

    The negative were almost unanimous in their criticism: Art Worlds lacks any “real” theory

    The book does not offer significant new insights into the art world

    The book might be seen as regurgitating common knowledge

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