Milton Esterow, the award-winning journalist who transformed ARTnews into a powerhouse of investigative arts journalism, passed away at the age of 97. His daughter, Judith Esterow—former associate publisher of ARTnews—confirmed his death on Friday but did not disclose the cause.

Esterow’s legacy in the art world is unparalleled. For over four decades, he served as owner and editor of ARTnews, shaping its reputation through hard-hitting journalism and groundbreaking stories. Under his leadership, the magazine earned national accolades, including a National Magazine Award and two George Polk Awards.

Robin Cembalest, who worked as executive editor under Esterow, honored him in a tribute:

“Milton trained generations of editors and writers, published scoop after scoop, and helped reshape how art is reported—particularly in stories involving restitution of Holocaust-looted art.”

From Crime Reporter to Art World Titan

Born in 1928 in Brooklyn, New York, Esterow showed a passion for journalism early on. While attending Brooklyn College, he joined The New York Times as a copy boy and later dropped out to become a full-time reporter. His unconventional approach of applying investigative techniques to the art world led to rare front-page Times stories on subjects like post-WWII looted art.

After a stint at the Kennedy art galleries, Esterow led a group that acquired ARTnews in 1972. He dramatically restructured the magazine, laying off the existing staff and rebuilding it with a focus on in-depth, critical reporting.

In 1990, Esterow launched the ARTnews Top 200 Collectors list, a signature feature still eagerly awaited each year. His curiosity about the motives and psychology of art collectors became a hallmark of his editorial vision.

A Lasting Impact on Art Journalism

Even after selling the magazine in 2014, Esterow continued to write prolifically—often on his vintage 1950 Royal typewriter—contributing to The New York Times and The Art Newspaper well into his 90s.

Sarah Douglas, ARTnews Editor-in-Chief since 2014, emphasized Esterow’s influence:

“Milton’s legacy of excellent journalism has always been our guiding light as we’ve transitioned into the digital age.”

Throughout his career, Esterow remained modest, often prioritizing mentorship over fanfare. New hires received curated reading packets of ARTnews’s best articles—many handpicked by Esterow himself—to inspire great journalism.

Milton Esterow is survived by his daughters, Judith and Deborah. His wife of 74 years, Jackie Esterow, passed away earlier this year.

From revamping arts journalism to pioneering conversations around art restitution, ethics, and collecting, Milton Esterow leaves behind a legacy that transformed how the world sees and reports on art.