Deborah Blake

Blake Gopnik, born in 1963, is an American art critic and historian who has resided in New York City since 2011. His academic background includes a doctorate in art history from Oxford University, where his research focused on Renaissance painting and the philosophy of representation. Prior to his career in journalism, he studied medieval studies at McGill University. Gopnik spent a decade as the chief art critic for The Washington Post and previously held editorial and critical roles in Canada. He has contributed to publications such as The New York Times and has written extensively on art, from ancient artifacts to contemporary artists.

His journalistic career began in Canada with roles at Insite magazine and The Globe and Mail before he moved to The Washington Post. In 2011, he joined Newsweek and The Daily Beast as an art and design critic. Gopnik is the author of "Warhol," a comprehensive biography of the artist Andy Warhol, published in 2020, and is set to publish a biography of Albert Barnes in 2025. He is married to artist Lucy Hogg and they have one son.

Born in Philadelphia in 1963, Blake Gopnik moved to Montreal as a child with his parents, Irwin and Myrna Gopnik. He grew up in the distinctive Habitat 67 housing complex designed by Moshe Safdie, alongside his five siblings, who pursued diverse careers in psychology, writing, oceanography, archaeology, and nonprofit management. Gopnik received his early education in French and trained as a commercial photographer. He pursued higher education at McGill University, earning a bachelor's degree in medieval studies in 1988, with a specialization in Vulgate and medieval Latin. His academic journey culminated at the University of Oxford, where he completed a doctorate in 1994, focusing on realism in Renaissance painting and the philosophical underpinnings of representation.

Following his doctoral studies, Gopnik returned to Canada, initially taking on academic positions before transitioning to journalism. He became the editor-in-chief of Insite, a magazine dedicated to architecture and design, in 1995. Subsequently, he was appointed fine arts editor and later art critic for The Globe and Mail. From 2000 to 2010, Gopnik served as the chief art critic for The Washington Post, where he authored over 500 articles covering a wide array of art subjects, from China's terracotta warriors to the works of Andy Warhol. In 2011, he took on the role of art and design critic for Newsweek magazine and The Daily Beast website, and he also contributes to The New York Times.

Blake Gopnik has authored significant biographical works, most notably "Warhol," a comprehensive examination of the American artist Andy Warhol's life and work, published in 2020 by Ecco. This biography delves into the multifaceted career and impact of Warhol. His literary output also includes "The Maverick's Museum: Albert Barnes and His American Dream," a biography of Albert Barnes, which was slated for publication in 2025 by HarperCollins. These works highlight Gopnik's sustained engagement with influential figures in the art world and their contributions.