Hilton Kramer's Legacy as Fearless Critic and New Criterion Founder

Hilton Kramer, a notable American critic who died last month, served as the chief critic for the New York Times for nearly twenty years. In 1982, he co-founded The New Criterion. Although his political stance evolved from liberalism to neo-conservatism, he consistently embraced modernism, emphasizing beauty and formal innovations. He held a deep appreciation for Russian Constructivists and intended to write a monograph about them. Influenced by figures like John Ruskin and T.S. Eliot, he supported Color Field Painting and recognized artists such as Milton Avery and Alex Katz. Kramer's reviews, including his infamous critique of Philip Guston's 1970 exhibition, often affirmed avant-garde artists. He also taught at Columbia, Berkeley, and Bennington, upholding rigorous editorial standards throughout his career.