How to See: Looking, Talking, and Thinking about Art Hardcover – October 18, 2016

If you want to read intelligent essays that offer highly plausible explications of exactly why the artists we love are great, and what their works are really up to, then read these essays. The introduction and some of the essays are worth reading over and over, practically memorizing them, because they help you “get it.” The ideas presented are along the lines of “yeah, that’s exactly right, I could have thought of that and written it down.” Uh, no you couldn’t have. It seems easy but it ain’t. Especially interesting are the ideas about actual painting, about how paint is actually applied (brush, hand, wrist, arm), ideas that critics/historians/curators generally are ignorant about, and which only a painter could describe. I read it cover to cover, which is unusual for me when reading a book of essays. The fact that most were relatively short helped. This will go in my section of books labeled “Must reread”.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and was sad when I finished. I no longer had his clear, witty and original prose to look forward to reading.I especially loved the lessons at the end and the essay on Lichtenstein. I highly recommend

Great prose! David Salle is a very witty author who offers a zero-jargon view of art.

Maybe I shouldn't be surprised but my first reading of this book produced slight disappointment: I think David Salle is a better painter than writer about art. Probably as it should be, but it's a word of caution to prospective readers. Other reviewers here have pointed to his language stye as the problem. I'm not sure. His tone can be pedantic but is that the problem? Again, I'm not sure. I myself am not an artist but in reading about art I look for something like inspiration. In this book I found a little of that but less than expected. Occasionally he sounds enthusiastic but that can come across as calibrated or processed. I think it's partly a tone issue, but the book is serious and thoughtful enough that I'll keep it and possibly reread at some point. (I still think he's a very good painter.) I might get more out of a second reading.One more criticism: Each chapter has 1 reproduction but all are black-and-white. Would it have cost that much more to publish them in color?

It's hard to find artists who can write well past the essay level, and also depart from today's artistic hermetic language. Add to that, his significant place in art, his background, and the context of his "high period" and you have a something verging on classic here. A great read, and thankful the artist felt impelled to put his well-considered, chiseled insights on paper.

All arrived in timely manner, and in good shape. Book is direct, not enough references or profiles of women artists at the time. Found most of his assessments and language articulate if sometimes 'chilly'.

This book by major contemporary artist David Salle does EXACTLY what the title promises: it offers rare insights into how to look at and understand art of all types. Bravo, Mr. Salle!

I guess amongs the intellectuals is a great book...I just found it hard to know what was being meant. It was like watching "The Wire"...Very hard to understand and just by the gestures is one able to follow the narrative...