Danto on Scully

The American art critic Arthur Danto (1924–2013) spent his entire life in pursuit of the essence of art. Influenced by Nietzsche, Hegel, and Schopenhauer, he concerned himself with issues related to representation theory, coined the term “art world,” and posited the end of traditional art. One of the art philosopher’s primary interests was the New York School—Abstract Expressionism. 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.” Danto devoted a series of essays to the abstract stripe paintings by the Irish artist (*1945 in Dublin). The bibliophile publication assembles Danto’s essays on Scully’s body of work for the time in one volume, and combines them with select illustrations—paintings, photographs, and drawings by the painter.