The film House of Criticism provides a close look at the lives of New York art critics Jerry Saltz and Roberta Smith.
Alison Chernick directed the documentary, which screened at the Tribeca Festival in the Spotlight Documentary section on June 25, 2026. The 83-minute film centers on the couple, who are both prominent critics with Roberta Smith serving as co-chief art critic at the New York Times and Jerry Saltz as art critic for New York magazine.
Saltz won the Pulitzer Prize for criticism in 2018. The pair live in Greenwich Village and maintain a routine focused on viewing and discussing art, attending numerous gallery shows each week. They have no children, and Lena Dunham is their goddaughter.
Roberta Smith has decided to retire from the New York Times. The film explores their relationship and shared passion for art criticism.
