The Painted Word

By: Tom Wolfe

Narrated by: Harold N. Cropp

Length: 2 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

No one skewers the popular movements of American culture like Tom Wolfe. In 1975, he turned his satirical pen to the pretensions of the contemporary art world - a world of social climbing, elitist posturing, and ingeniously absurd self-justifying theorizing. From the fuliginous flatness of the 50s to the pop op minimal 60s, right on through the now-you-see-it-now-you-don’t 70s, Tom Wolfe debunks the great American myth of modern art in an incandescent, hilarious, and devastating blast.

©1975 Tom Wolfe (P)2000 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Spot On

Have always disliked and distrusted modern art. Wolfe gives substance and foundation for that dislike. He exposes the intellectual bankruptcy of the movement showing it to be the whited sepulcher that it is! "The uglier it is, the more you should like it." Give me a break!

As an art theorist this encapsulates the modernist and post modernist thought to a T

Having read the texts Mr Wolfe references I can say that he hits it spot on. Anyone following art theory writing and its current trend can vouch for it. His comments shine a light on the basic ideas and the writers who cast such a towering shadow over the art world and continue to do so in the universities to this day.

A joy to read and to listen

The sophistication of the book will elude many, but I have the education and attention to find the points he makes exquisite fun. The intellectual independence Wolfe often displays is often avoided by reducing the effort to fashion. This book examines fashion in a way that allows intellect to escape fashion and understand the voice of art rather than commerce. Commerce may decide what and how we value image, however, image must stand without that decision in intimate understanding. Wolfe seems to understand the predicament well.

Wish It Was Longer

I really enjoyed the book, but wish it was more in depth. Maybe I just knew too little about modern art. I found myself stopping and research the artists, critics and patrons mentioned in the book.

Modern Art makes More Sense after this Book

What did you love best about The Painted Word?

Modern art is art because of the ideas it represents, rather than aesthetics. In fact, the lack of aesthetics is of primary importance in many forms of modern art. This lack of emphasis on the visual aspect of modern visual art may be the factor that differentiates modern art from its predecessors.

history art in america early 20th century

great perspective on modern art in america in the early 20th century. from one who lived it

A needed corrective to Modernist hubris

Wolfe in classic form vivisects the pretentious of the 20th century art world with razor sharp wit.

Amusing, yet incomplete.

I like Tom Wolfe. His writing never fails to be engaging, hilarious, and eye-opening all at once. This book was no exception, however; if the extent of your contemporary art education stops at "What Are You Looking At?" and thumbing through the New York Times Arts section occasionally - please, do yourself a favor and read a bit more before aligning with Tom's side of the argument.

He's well-researched, and presents an interesting idea, but gross oversimplification a run rampant throughout this book. He's exc

Thomas Wolfe Never Fails

You can always count on T. Wolfe to strip away snobbery and pretensions. He won't let you down with this book. Enjoyable read. Helps if you are familiar with modern art.

This was brilliant, concise, and hilarious. It is scathing and funny and spot on.

I’ve never really read Tom Wolfe, but this was absolutely brilliant. I will read more of his books! This was wry, concise, on point with the history of the art world particularly concerning the 20th century.

The narrator was fantastic, his inflection and tone made me think it was the author himself. If you have any interest in art or art history, or a student of art, or an artist, this should be top of your list to read. If you’ve ever been confused about modern art, this is also for you.

The one thing not covered in this book is one more truth: the art world and art itself is now a standalone industry.

I laughed a lot! What a great author. What a great narrator! Perfect pairing.