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. SEAN SCULLY (*1945 Dublin)
is one of the most famous artists of his generation. In addition to numerous exhibitions
worldwide he has been honored with important awards such as the Guggenheim Fellowship and
Harckness Fellowship.
