John Russell CBE, who died on 23 August, 2008, was art critic for the Times newspapers of both London and New York.

As well as 60 years of journalism, he wrote a score of books, produced television programmes and organised exhibitions.

Mr Russell, who was born in Hampshire on 22 January, 1919, joined The Times in 1945. He moved to New York in 1974 so he could stay at the forefront of art’s new movements.

As well as the New York Times, he wrote for Art News, Art in America and The New York Review of Books.

He was an erudite and lucid writer, fluent in several language and was popular among his colleagues. He was friends with the likes of Ian Flemming and Leonard Bernstein.

He was survived by his third wife, Rosamond Bernier, and a daughter from his first marriage.