Harold Rosenberg

Date of Birth: February 2, 1906

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Date of Death: July 11, 1978

Biography

Harold Rosenberg was an influential American writer, critic, and intellectual, renowned for his pioneering work in art criticism and his contributions to the discourse on abstract expressionism. Born on February 2, 1906, in New York City, Rosenberg emerged as a pivotal figure in the mid-20th century art world. He was a prolific writer whose essays and critiques appeared in numerous prestigious publications, including The New Yorker, Art News, and Partisan Review. Rosenberg is perhaps best known for coining the term “action painting” in his 1952 essay “The American Action Painters,” which emphasized the process of painting as an event or action rather than a static product. This concept greatly influenced the understanding and appreciation of artists like Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning. Throughout his career, Rosenberg was a faculty member at several esteemed institutions, including the University of Chicago and the New School for Social Research. His intellectual contributions extended beyond art criticism to include philosophy and political thought, making him a versatile and respected voice in American cultural criticism. Rosenberg passed away on July 11, 1978, leaving behind a legacy that continues to shape art criticism and intellectual thought.

5 Interesting Facts about Harold Rosenberg

1. Harold Rosenberg coined the term “action painting” in his 1952 essay “The American Action Painters.”

2. He was a key figure in the New York School of artists and writers, which included prominent figures such as Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning.

3. Rosenberg served as an art critic for The New Yorker from 1962 until his death in 1978.

4. He was also a poet and published several collections of poetry throughout his lifetime.

5. Rosenberg’s work extended into political philosophy, and he was an active participant in the intellectual debates of his time.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Harold Rosenberg

1. “No one can be a painter unless he cares for painting above all else.”

2. “The aim of every artist is to arrest motion, which is life, by artificial means and hold it fixed so that a hundred years later, when a stranger looks at it, it moves again since it is life.”

3. “In the end, everything is a gag.”

4. “A painting that is an act is inseparable from the biography of the artist.”

5. “What better way to prove the inadequacy of the system than to behave as though it did not exist?”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

While specific figures for Harold Rosenberg’s net worth are not well-documented, his influence and contributions to art criticism and intellectual thought have left an invaluable legacy that transcends monetary valuation.