ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Stoichita's 'Sherlock Holmes Effect' Analyzes the Unseen in Art

publication · 2026-04-24

In a review published in artpress (n°428, December 2015, p. 75), Victor I. Stoichita's book 'L'Effet Sherlock Holmes' (Hazan) is examined. The text argues that images not only show but also conceal elements—what is off-screen, hidden, or too small to see. Using the example of 'Chemin de fer', Stoichita positions the viewer as an investigator, decoding what is withheld from sight.

Key facts

  • Review appeared in artpress issue 428, December 2015
  • Book titled 'L'Effet Sherlock Holmes' published by Hazan
  • Author is Victor I. Stoichita
  • The book explores how images hide as much as they reveal
  • Example given: 'Chemin de fer'
  • Viewer is cast as an investigator ('enquêteur')
  • Focus on cinematic and painterly devices that obscure

Entities

Artists

  • Victor I. Stoichita

Institutions

  • artpress
  • Hazan

Sources