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Guy Scarpetta Responds to art press Debate on Literary Criticism

opinion-review · 2026-04-23

Guy Scarpetta replies to Jacques Henric's response in art press issue 176, defending his critique of the magazine's 20th-anniversary special issue. Scarpetta argues that literary criticism should be, in Aragon's words, 'a pedagogy of enthusiasm' rather than bitterness and resentment.

Key facts

  • art press published a special issue titled '20 ans. L'histoire continue' for its 20th anniversary.
  • Guy Scarpetta criticized the special issue.
  • Jacques Henric responded in art press issue 176.
  • Guy Scarpetta now replies to close the debate.
  • Scarpetta cites Aragon: literary criticism is 'a pedagogy of enthusiasm'.
  • Scarpetta opposes aigreur (bitterness) and ressentiment (resentment) in criticism.
  • The debate took place in 1993.
  • The source is artpress.com, February 1, 1993.

Entities

Artists

  • Guy Scarpetta
  • Jacques Henric
  • Aragon

Institutions

  • art press

Sources