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The Pursuit of Art: Travels, Encounters and Revelations
One of our leading art critics and writers, Martin Gayford, recounts his travels and meetings with the world’s greatest artists. In the course of a career thinking and writing about art, critic Martin Gayford has traveled all over the world both to see works of art and to meet artists. Gayford’s journeys, often to fairly inaccessible places, involve frustrations and complications, but also serendipitous encounters and outcomes, which he makes as much a part of the story as the final destination. In chapters that are by turns humorous, intriguing, and stimulating, Gayford takes us to places as varied as Brancusi’s Endless Column in Romania; prehistoric caves in France; the museum island of Naoshima in Japan; the Judd Foundation in Marfa, Texas; and an exhibition of Roni Horn’s work in Iceland. Interwoven with these tales are journeys to meet artists―Henri Cartier-Bresson in Paris, Marina Abramovic´ in Venice, Robert Rauschenberg in New York―and travels with artists, such as a trip to Beijing with Gilbert & George. These encounters not only provide fascinating insights into the way artists approach and think about their art, but reveal the importance of their personal environments. A perceptive, amusing, and knowledgeable companion, in The Pursuit of Art Gayford takes readers on a tour of art that is immensely entertaining, informative, and eminently readable. 50 color illustrations
192 pages, Hardcover
Published October 8, 2019
About the author
Martin Gayford
58 books144 followersMartin Gayford is an art critic and art historian. He studied philosophy at the University of Cambridge, and art history at the Courtauld Institute of Art at the University of London. Over three decades, he has written prolifically about art and music in a series of major biographies, as well as contributing regularly to newspapers, magazines and exhibition catalogues. In parallel with his career as an art historian, he was art critic of The Spectator magazine and The Sunday Telegraph newspaper before becoming Chief Art Critic for the international television network, Bloomberg News. He has been a regular contributor to the British journal of art criticism, Modern Painters.
His books include a study of Van Gogh and Gauguin in Arles, The Yellow House: Van Gogh, Gauguin, and Nine Turbulent Weeks in Arles (Little Brown, 2006), which was published in Britain and the USA to critical acclaim, and has been translated, to date, into five languages; Constable in Love: Love, Landscape, Money and the Making of a Great Painter (Penguin, 2009), a study of John Constable’s romance with Maria Bicknell and their lives between 1809 and 1816; and A Bigger Message: Conversations with David Hockney (Thames and Hudson, 2011).
His books include a study of Van Gogh and Gauguin in Arles, The Yellow House: Van Gogh, Gauguin, and Nine Turbulent Weeks in Arles (Little Brown, 2006), which was published in Britain and the USA to critical acclaim, and has been translated, to date, into five languages; Constable in Love: Love, Landscape, Money and the Making of a Great Painter (Penguin, 2009), a study of John Constable’s romance with Maria Bicknell and their lives between 1809 and 1816; and A Bigger Message: Conversations with David Hockney (Thames and Hudson, 2011).
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
October 17, 2020
This was an odd choice for me, as I am not someone who frequents galleries, and am not really someone who would consider themselves to be wise in the ways of art. But I really enjoyed the book. Art Critic Martin Gayford, obviously travels to meet a lot of artists, see a lot of exhibitions, but the premise of this book is that where you see the art will change how you view the work and the effect it has on you.
From towering sculptures finally seen after tortuous journeys through Romania to see Brancusi's sculptures, to the Sistine Chapel ceiling, the cave paintings in the south of France to columns of ice water in Iceland, to interviews with Robert Frank and performance artist Marina Abramovic, the chapters were vast and wide ranging. All of them included his insights into the work, whether he was a fan or not, but also the journey and how and if he was changed by the encounter.
I particularly liked the interview with Roni Horn, who had created the exhibition in Iceland - 'Each pillar gathered a condensed reflection of the horizon - and of the people in the room. So I saw my own stored image floating in front of this epic, watery landscape. It was a demonstration of another of Horn's contentions: 'In different places you are not the same person. You engage differently in different places, and different places engage you differently.'
Has it changed the way I think about art - absolutely. Could the book have been improved - no I don't think so, therefore I had to give it 5 stars.
From towering sculptures finally seen after tortuous journeys through Romania to see Brancusi's sculptures, to the Sistine Chapel ceiling, the cave paintings in the south of France to columns of ice water in Iceland, to interviews with Robert Frank and performance artist Marina Abramovic, the chapters were vast and wide ranging. All of them included his insights into the work, whether he was a fan or not, but also the journey and how and if he was changed by the encounter.
I particularly liked the interview with Roni Horn, who had created the exhibition in Iceland - 'Each pillar gathered a condensed reflection of the horizon - and of the people in the room. So I saw my own stored image floating in front of this epic, watery landscape. It was a demonstration of another of Horn's contentions: 'In different places you are not the same person. You engage differently in different places, and different places engage you differently.'
Has it changed the way I think about art - absolutely. Could the book have been improved - no I don't think so, therefore I had to give it 5 stars.
April 3, 2020
just a nice collection of essays that makes you want to travel and learn about art but doesn’t take itself too seriously
August 10, 2020
A lovely collection of essays on art and travels, two subjects that apparently coincide very well, especially in the hands of capable writers such as Martin - although here and there I stumbled over a few too complicated sentences that might put off non-native English speakers. I'm not an expert at the subject but enjoyed the ride nonetheless.
January 9, 2022
I initially gave this one four stars, and after thinking today I had to go back and give it five. This wasn't so much a book about art, per se. It's a book about the experience of art, as told by a critic with a decades-long career.
Gayford does an outstanding job at blending experiences the only an insider can have (interviewing a revered performance artist during down-time at the Venice Biennale) with many stories more pedestrian. He writes about the joy (and heartaches) of traveling to experience art, the way many works that only be truly experienced in person, and insights that many late-career artists have shared with him over the years.
Told work by work and artist by artist in the form of vignettes loosely grouped by theme, The Pursuit of Art is as easily taken in chapter by chapter as it is devoured as quickly as possible. Charming, accessible, fun, and beautifully illustrated, it makes an an enthusiast like myself feel like an insider. I'm inspired to read more of Martin Gayford's writing, and to book plane tickets as soon as possible to the next museum on my list.
Gayford does an outstanding job at blending experiences the only an insider can have (interviewing a revered performance artist during down-time at the Venice Biennale) with many stories more pedestrian. He writes about the joy (and heartaches) of traveling to experience art, the way many works that only be truly experienced in person, and insights that many late-career artists have shared with him over the years.
Told work by work and artist by artist in the form of vignettes loosely grouped by theme, The Pursuit of Art is as easily taken in chapter by chapter as it is devoured as quickly as possible. Charming, accessible, fun, and beautifully illustrated, it makes an an enthusiast like myself feel like an insider. I'm inspired to read more of Martin Gayford's writing, and to book plane tickets as soon as possible to the next museum on my list.
March 20, 2022
After a bumpy beginning--essays on the difficulties of getting to see Brancusi’s Endless Column; cave painting; Marina Abromovic’s predilection for the mortification of performance art; the Sistine Ceiling; and more—Gayford eventually shares essays that ease into a greater rapport with both the subject and the reader.
Despite his confessions (quite reasonable) to getting frustrated as a traveler in unfamiliar environments, Gayford comes across as a completely delightful traveling companion. Hired by various publications to interview notable artists across the globe (and often at the drop of a hat), Gayford gamely takes off in pursuit. He confesses to a fair degree of unease, even anxiety, which is part of what makes him accessible.
The essay on his trip to Iceland to see Roni Horn’s Library of Water turned the tides (yes, yes) for me. This assignment was in 2007, a bit before global warming became the all-consuming frame through which we now all talk about the weather. Instead, we get this: “All the ways we talk about the rain and the wind, Horn had explained, we also use to talk about ourselves.” She was working on a book she planned to title “Weather Reports You.“ In other words, weather is both inside and outside of us.
Horn contends: “In different places you are not the same person. You engage differently in different places, and different places engage you differently.” Following on this, it is reasonable—natural—to posit that although “identity” tends to be thought of as “a discrete, stable, nameable entity,” . . . in Gayford’s words it is “more like water or Iceland: words don’t quite capture its fluid nature.” Indeed, these are words of someone who is genuinely open to looking—and thinking—without preconception. This approach is exactly what makes Gayford's book a breath of fresh air.
Despite his confessions (quite reasonable) to getting frustrated as a traveler in unfamiliar environments, Gayford comes across as a completely delightful traveling companion. Hired by various publications to interview notable artists across the globe (and often at the drop of a hat), Gayford gamely takes off in pursuit. He confesses to a fair degree of unease, even anxiety, which is part of what makes him accessible.
The essay on his trip to Iceland to see Roni Horn’s Library of Water turned the tides (yes, yes) for me. This assignment was in 2007, a bit before global warming became the all-consuming frame through which we now all talk about the weather. Instead, we get this: “All the ways we talk about the rain and the wind, Horn had explained, we also use to talk about ourselves.” She was working on a book she planned to title “Weather Reports You.“ In other words, weather is both inside and outside of us.
Horn contends: “In different places you are not the same person. You engage differently in different places, and different places engage you differently.” Following on this, it is reasonable—natural—to posit that although “identity” tends to be thought of as “a discrete, stable, nameable entity,” . . . in Gayford’s words it is “more like water or Iceland: words don’t quite capture its fluid nature.” Indeed, these are words of someone who is genuinely open to looking—and thinking—without preconception. This approach is exactly what makes Gayford's book a breath of fresh air.
March 10, 2022
I finished this whilst sitting in the tropical bleachers of the Kodiak, Alaska pool on a torrential day in the slog of a winter’s trailing end. It’s been so long since I’ve been off this rock, let alone frazzled by art. I share that only to underscore how much I have treasured each of these individual journeys and pursuits, spaced out over my own island-locked year, both as memories and as motivating hopes. And the final sentence went quite well against the background of a coach’s motivational guidance to a swim club: “The pursuit of art is a journey that never stops; the more you see, the more you want to see.”
January 11, 2020
Short but satisfying essays of encounters with art and artists. These are not in depth or comprehensive accounts of either artwork or artist, but rather are quiet meditations on the journeys to the meet them and the writer’s small but significant revelations he makes of the encounters. I found Gaylord to be an affable, relatable travel companion (there was, as I often find, a longer than expected amount of time getting lost). He wears his knowledge of art casually and at times, regarding his view of conceptual and performance art, is remarkably honest.
July 23, 2020
Pleasant read for the most part. Martin spends a little too much time explaining useless details about how his trips to meet famous painters was delayed or thwarted by random acts. Missed flights, churches no longer accessible, etc etc... I would have appreciated a bit more time spent explaining more about the painters and their art.
As far as revelations go. I found very little in the way of deep thoughts or revelations about art.
As far as revelations go. I found very little in the way of deep thoughts or revelations about art.
February 19, 2022
It’s an inspirational read in COVID, as I’m not familiar with contemporary art, I also found it informative while being succinct. I especially love female artists’ stories and philosophies and found them inspiring. It’s my third book by Martin Gayford now (previous two were A History of Pictures” and “Spring Cannot Be Cancelled”, both are co-written with David Hockney) and found one general principle for artists is to keep working and keep producing in all mutability.
December 20, 2022
I picked this book up on a whim at the Royal Academy because I quite liked the title. I didn’t know much about art or the author. Yet I instantly loved it, I learned a lot without being badgered with technical jargon and debate. Rather it felt like an exploration of artists, what drives them and how they see their craft. He really has a beautiful way of telling stories and revealing information at just the right moment.
January 13, 2024
I guess this could be a read-through book but that is not how I read this very enjoyable book of essays about the author traveling to a variety of places to see art in person & that seeing art in person changes how you experience it. Not a long book but interesting & informative. Gayford takes the art & the artists seriously, but not himself. I appreciated that each essay had at least one photograph of the art.
November 18, 2019
A meaningless book about the author's travels to go and see art with no discussion whatsoever of what makes this art interesting or worth seeing and not even a hint of what the author (a famous art critic) looks at when he looks at art. Completely useless except for the color reproductions. Read his "Modernists and Mavericks" book instead.
July 31, 2023
A fun, if somewhat surface-level travelogue-cum-collection of essays. Gayford manages to quite effectively capture the sense of discovery of traveling and viewing artists’ works in different settings and places around the world. I wouldn’t call this book a masterpiece or a major work as the back of the box suggested, but I did find it very enjoyable and had a fine ole’ time reading it.
Also, highly recommend if you like reading about the Anglo-Saxons being Anglo-Saxon in their most Anglo-Saxonest of ways. Especially whilst abroad.
Also, highly recommend if you like reading about the Anglo-Saxons being Anglo-Saxon in their most Anglo-Saxonest of ways. Especially whilst abroad.
May 29, 2020
In the midst of lockdown when all galleries and museums are closed, this little book reminds you about the journey to see art “in the flesh”.
I feel I need to make a pilgrimage to feast on works I’ve longed to see and start making a bucket list.
I feel I need to make a pilgrimage to feast on works I’ve longed to see and start making a bucket list.
November 21, 2020
A stimulating and eclectic collection of meditations inspired by first-hand encounters with artworks and artists, and lessons learned along the way. Thoroughly enjoyable, makes you long to go out there and explore more art.
July 31, 2021
Pretty much anything by Martin Gayford is well researched, well written and utterly delightful. This insight into his own passion and interaction with various artists was a wonderful experience. Except now instead of reading I am itching to travel and explore as well.
February 21, 2023
I love this venture into the arts, again it was a journey to unknown artists and hearing his views on a few I did know. He has more books so I'm definitely going to buy them for my personal art library as I enjoyed each well written piece.
January 17, 2020
An refreshing walk through the lives of (mostly contemporary) artists and their works married to an easy travel writer’s experiences.
May 31, 2020
Marvelous.
January 8, 2021
A great read. I found it captivating and I thoroughly enjoyed its structure.
February 19, 2021
Beautifully described and thought provoking commentary on art and the value in seeing it for real.
August 15, 2023
Мистецтво, подорожі, митці - таке мені цікаво
November 17, 2023
It was not nearly as exciting as I expected.
January 1, 2024
I read this during lockdown and felt like I was actually travelling, experiencing beautiful art with Martin and popping into lovely cafes to chat with him along the way. Such a babe, thanks Martin.
September 12, 2024
an enjoyable collection of travel writing, some of the stories really captivated me and made me really think but others i found harder to get through
June 28, 2025
the perfect book to get me back into reading after a slump. very witty and interesting and fast to get through, definitely recommend for lovers of art, philosophy and travel.
February 12, 2026
Fairly lightweight - not a criticism though as that's all it intends to be.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews