Martin Gayford author page

Martin Gayford biography

Martin Gayford is a British art critic, writer, and curator known for his extensive work on the history of art and artists. He has contributed to a range of publications, including The Spectator, The Sunday Telegraph, and Bloomberg News. Gayford studied philosophy at Cambridge University.

He has written several books on art and artists, often focusing on the lives and creative processes of painters and sculptors. His works include Man with a Blue Scarf: On Sitting for a Portrait by Lucian Freud (2010), which documents his experience of being painted by Lucian Freud, and A Bigger Message: Conversations with David Hockney (2011), based on his interviews with the artist David Hockney. Gayford has also authored Michelangelo: His Epic Life (2013) and Rendez-vous with Art (2014), co-written with Philippe de Montebello.

In addition to his books, Gayford has curated exhibitions and contributed essays to exhibition catalogues. He has also appeared in documentaries and public talks related to art history and criticism. His writing often explores the relationship between artists and their work, as well as the broader context of art movements and cultural history.

Martin Gayford’s book Spring Cannot be Cancelled: David Hockney in Normandy, co-authored with David Hockney, was published by Thames & Hudson in 2021.