Ada Louise Huxtable

Ada Louise Huxtable was a renowned American architectural critic who wrote for The New York Times and was known for her insightful and influential critiques of modern architecture. Her work was widely read and respected by architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, and Mies van der Rohe. Huxtable's critiques were often published in The New York Times Magazine and The Wall Street Journal, and she was a frequent contributor to The New Yorker and Harper's Magazine. She was also a member of the American Institute of Architects and a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

● Early Life and Education

Huxtable was born in New York City to a family of Jewish immigrants from Russia. She grew up in a family that valued education and was encouraged to pursue her interests in art and architecture. Huxtable attended Hunter College High School and later studied art history at Hunter College, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree. She also studied at the Institute of Fine Arts at New York University, where she earned her Master of Arts degree. During her time at New York University, Huxtable was influenced by the work of art historians such as Erwin Panofsky and Meyer Schapiro.

● Career

Huxtable began her career as an art critic for The New York Times in the 1950s, where she wrote about modern art and architecture. She was one of the first women to work as an architectural critic for a major newspaper. Huxtable's critiques were widely read and respected, and she became known for her insightful and influential writing about modern architecture. She wrote about the work of architects such as Eero Saarinen, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. Huxtable was also a frequent contributor to The New Yorker and Harper's Magazine, and she wrote for other publications such as The Atlantic Monthly and The Nation.

● Awards and Legacy

Huxtable received numerous awards for her work, including the Pulitzer Prize for Criticism in 1970. She was the first woman to receive the Pulitzer Prize for criticism. Huxtable was also awarded the National Medal of Arts in 2010, and she received honorary degrees from universities such as Harvard University, Yale University, and Columbia University. Her work has been recognized by organizations such as the American Institute of Architects and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Huxtable's legacy continues to be felt in the world of architecture and art criticism, and her writing remains widely read and respected.

● Architectural Criticism

Huxtable's architectural criticism was known for its insight and influence. She wrote about a wide range of architectural styles, from modernism to postmodernism. Huxtable was a strong advocate for the preservation of historic buildings and landmarks, and she wrote about the importance of urban planning and design. She was critical of developers and politicians who prioritized profit over public interest, and she advocated for the creation of public spaces and parks. Huxtable's critiques were often illustrated with photographs by photographers such as Ezra Stoller and Balthazar Korab.

● Personal Life

Huxtable was married to L. Garth Huxtable, an industrial designer, and the couple had no children. She was a close friend of architects such as Philip Johnson and Robert Venturi, and she was a frequent visitor to architectural landmarks such as the Guggenheim Museum and the Farnsworth House. Huxtable was also a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the National Academy of Design. She was a strong supporter of arts organizations such as the Museum of Modern Art and the Whitney Museum of American Art.

● Later Life and Death

Huxtable continued to write and critique architecture until her death in 2013. She died at the age of 91 in New York City, leaving behind a legacy of insightful and influential writing about modern architecture. Huxtable's work remains widely read and respected, and her critiques continue to be studied by architects and art historians around the world. She is remembered as one of the most important architectural critics of the 20th century, and her writing continues to shape our understanding of modern architecture and urban design. Huxtable's legacy is celebrated by institutions such as the Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library at Columbia University and the Museum of Modern Art. Category:American architectural critics