Graham-Dixon began work as a reviewer for the shortlived weekly The Sunday Correspondent before becoming the chief art critic of The Independent, where he remained until 1998.

In 2010 he interviewed John Lydon for a Culture Show special about Public Image Ltd.[13] In 2016 and 2018 he gave lectures as part of the Alpine Fellowship symposium in Venice.

[14] His publications include Howard Hodgkin (1993), A History of British Art (1995), Paper Museum: Writings About Painting, Mostly (1995), Renaissance (1999), In the Picture (2005), an anthology of articles published between 2001 and 2006 in the Sunday Telegraph, and Michelangelo and the Sistine Chapel (2007).

This has given them a reputation for pushiness, yet it should also be said that in terms of ambition, attention to display and sheer bravado there has been little to match such shows in the country's established contemporary art institutions.

He added: "I apologise sincerely to anyone who found my debating tactics and use of Hitler's own language distressing; on reflection I can see that some of the words I used, even in quotation, are inherently offensive.

"[17] Public figures including Louis de Bernières and John Cleese were among those to defend Graham-Dixon, and criticism of the Union's plans for an exclusion list prompted a U-turn from its president.

[18] In a statement to The Jewish Chronicle, fellow historian Guy Walters said: "The idea that Andrew Graham-Dixon has been blacklisted for performing what was clearly a satirical impression of Adolf Hitler is both disgraceful and deeply ironic.