Danto On Scully

Influenced by Nietzsche, Hegel and Schopenhauer, the American art critic Arthur Danto (1924-2013) explored theories of representation, coined the term "artworld" and posited the end of a certain history of Western art. One of the art philosopher's primary interests was the New York School of Abstract Expressionism, and he considered the highly esteemed oeuvre of his friend Sean Scully to be its continuation and further development. "Scully's historical importance lies in the way he has brought the great achievement of Abstract Expressionist painting into the contemporary moment," he wrote. Danto devoted a series of essays to the abstract stripe paintings of the Irish artist. This publication assembles these in one volume for the first time, and combines them with illustrations of Scully's paintings, photographs and drawings.