The popularity of works of art

Citation: Martin De la Iglesia (2011) The popularity of works of art. Kunstgeschichte. Open Peer Reviewed Journal (RSS)
Internet Archive Scholar (search for fulltext): The popularity of works of art
Download: http://www.kunstgeschichte-ejournal.net/106/
Tagged: Arts and Literarure (RSS) Art (RSS), popularity (RSS), definitions (RSS)

Summary

Author examines discussion of use and definitions of the word "popularity" with respect to art, identifying two defintions: broad, where popularity simply means liked by many people, and narrow, which concerns what sort of people like the art in question. The narrow definition appears more often used, and is often pejorative, political, or otherwise judgemental. Narrow versions are also fraught with categorization difficulties. Author argues for broad definition of "popularity", though admits many of the phenomena discussed by people using narrow definitions are worth investigating, but using more specific terms.