THE BVRLINGTON MAGAZINE
Proposal: The Burlington Magazine is a monthly art periodical established since 1903 and has released issues each month uninterrupted since it was created. Its founders are amongst some of the best known art historians and connoisseurs of the twentieth-century including such names as Bernard Berenson, Roger Fry and Herbert Horne. Over the years The Burlington Magazine has had editors from various art related backgrounds: from Art Critic, co-founder and first editor Roger Fry and Directors of the National Gallery Charles Holmes and Neil MacGregor, to the current editor Richard Shone. The Burlington Magazine is a voluntary submission based periodical with the occasional commission. It has also had various contributions from leading academics, critics and writers within the Arts including Kenneth Clark, E.H. Gombrich, Pierre Rosenberg, Georg Baselitz and Bridget Riley. The magazine has been a non-profit-making company with independent charitable status since 1986. The magazine is an international publication, its objective and interest being to give all art from the present as much legitimacy and acknowledgment as the art of the past. I believe that although there is a broad array of periods and areas of interest included within the journal, it does lack in areas of contemporary and twentieth-century art, and art from outside Western Europe and USA. The reason for this may be due to the magazine’s distribution and financial base being primarily within Western Europe (especially Britain) and the USA. It is considered to be ‘the world’s leading monthly publication devoted to the fine and decorative arts.’ Within each issue is a collection of concise and informative essays, reviews and articles, often based on original and independent research. It is however generally geared at those with an existing knowledge and interest in the arts, and those who regularly visit exhibitions both within the UK and abroad. Its articles and reviews, even down to the editorials make reference to, and a running commentary on, the art world of today: including topical issues and an impressive monthly calendar. Although not overly political there are underling political issues discussed; for example the cutting of government funding to the arts and the loss of jobs. From studying the contents page, of which the format is consistent, it gives an overview of what the reader should expect from the following pages and indicates the split of the magazine into approximately five sections. The first section being the list of The Burlington Magazine’s editors and supporters alongside the 'Editorial', which is an informative analysis discussing current topical issues within the art community, which does not always relate to the magazine’s theme. The following sections are the main 'Articles' of which there are on average 4 at approximately 2,500-5,000 words in length and 'Short Notices' which are no more than 2,500 (although 'Short Notices' do not appear in every issue). The articles are done by various writers and the subject/titles fall within the theme of the periodical. They have historical insight, however generally are researching into an aspect of the subject matter never looked into previously. The third section is for the 'Book Reviews' (on average 7 per issue), which occasionally holds 'Publications Received'. These do not always relate to the specific topical theme of the issue but are thoroughly researched reviews which compare several texts in comparison to the main book to give the readers a more comprehensive understanding. The fourth section holds the 'Exhibition Reviews' where there is on average 12 of approximately 1,300-1,400 words each in length. All the reviews again do not necessarily sit alongside the theme. Various reviewers, some more regularly featured than others (Roger Cardinal featured in both September 2007 and January 2008) use a familiar style of writing and layout as the main featured articles. This is the area of the magazine that I am proposing to write for. Each review is discussed individually but with a great deal of background and sophisticated writing that adds more depth than the snappy crowd pleasers. However with the high standard and expectations of accuracy at the forefront of importance to the editorial team it is clear that those at The Burlington Magazine are ‘moreover … concerned with lasting comment rather than headlined topicality.’ From this there is a glimpse of the magazine’s refined style alongside its desire to have a lasting impression on the arts. Typically they begin with a background on the exhibition and any previous exhibitions of the artist or gallery space relevant. There is general discussion, with the reviewer referring to themselves in the third person, on space with specific references to usually 3 or 4 pieces of work that are accompanied by full colour images. It is important to note that reviewers are encouraged not to be overly enthusiastic or critical about their chosen exhibition but to have a knowledgeable background and individual slant on the exhibition and its contents. The fifth and final section has extensive exhibitions listings for the following month around the world. Here ends the magazine unless there is an additional 'Supplement', although this again is not a regular feature. Due to The Burlington Magazine’s target audience of those with a specific interest in the Arts such as academics and museum professionals the writing style must be considered accordingly. There is less need to simplify and generally a presumption of prior knowledge is given. The writing style throughout is authoritative, scholarly and sophisticated but not overly snobbish as to alienate any other readers. For contributors there is a comprehensive account with examples of submission accessible from the periodical’s website: www.burlington.org.uk (under ‘Notes for Contributors’). Within the section dedicated to those who wish to submit writings to the magazine there is a clear style sheet even down to the required footnote in articles and endnotes in the reviews. Although there are few twentieth-century artists whose exhibitions are reviewed within The Burlington Magazine it is an area which they wish to replenish which I have considered with regards to the topic of my review. Joan Eardley matches well with the periods of interest and offers a broad range of diversity in her work. Due to the retrospective exhibition at the National Gallery of Scotland it offers opportunities to compare works from all periods of her life until her death (1963). As the reviews require research and offer a deeper understanding of the artist and the works I feel that this periodical would be best suited for it. |