What makes an artwork good?
Dr. James FoxWhy are some artists famous and others forgotten? Why are some artworks priceless and others worthless? And in an era where so much art is so hard to fathom, how do we know whether a work of art is any good?
Learn about this Garden Talk
Most of us have at some point come across an artwork that critics say is a masterpiece, but that we don’t “get”. We've all read stories about collectors paying fortunes for works of art that we wouldn’t pay a penny for. Are they right? Are we wrong? Or is artistic value all in the eye of the beholder?
In the second talk of his exclusive series for The Garden tackling the biggest questions in art, James Fox will disperse the cloud of confusion, pretention and international art speak that surrounds art in order to explain what makes an artwork good, which artists are overrated, which are underrated, and whether a painting or sculpture is ever worth what people are willing to pay for it. In doing so, he hopes to provide you with the tools you need to make your own mind up.
James is an art historian at the University of Cambridge, as well as a curator, award-winning broadcaster and the best-selling author of The World According To Colour.
Talk outline
50 minutes
30 minute talk
20 minute Member Q&A
James fell in love with art at the age of six and hasn't looked back since. He is now an art historian at the University of Cambridge, a curator, an award-winning broadcaster and the author of bestselling book The World According to Colour.
Art's Biggest Questions Collection
Join our 4-part series as we explore the world of art with Cambridge Art Historian & Broadcaster, Dr James Fox.Art is an essential part of what it means to be human. But what is art? When did we start creating it? And why do we still need it?
Why are some artists famous and others forgotten? Why are some artworks priceless and others worthless? And in an era where so much art is so hard to fathom, how do we know whether a work of art is any good?
Many artists have tried to re-shape society, using art as a tool for propaganda and protest, to bring about social change, and to improve people’s lives. But can art really make a difference? And where would we be without it?
Artists have always been early adopters of new technologies, but in recent years new technologies have appeared more quickly than ever before. Should we be excited about these dramatic changes, or worried? Are they a flash in the pan, or here to stay?
