“Put yourself in the position of an up-and-coming artist living in early-sixteenth-century Italy. Now imagine trying to distinguish yourself from the other artists living in your town: Michelangelo, Raphael, Leonardo, or Titian. Is it any wonder that the Italian High Renaissance lasted only 30 years?”

American art critic and journalist, 1958–present Saltz is best known for his incisive writing on contemporary art, particularly his coverage of emerging and established artists in publications like *New York Magazine* and *Vogue*. His work bridges high and popular culture, offering sharp, accessible critiques of visual art and its broader cultural significance.