Abstract Art

The book by Stefanie Strain is an intriguing introduction to the relatively short yet eventful history of abstract art from the early 20th century to the present day. Emerging in the 1900s amidst symbolism, cubism, and expressionism, abstraction quickly became a global artistic phenomenon that changed the face of modernism and contemporary art. Sometimes daunting for viewers due to its incomprehensibility and connection to complex aesthetic theories, it opens new paths for many artists to understand the surrounding world. The author lifts the veil of mystery over the works of seventy-four abstract artists—from Hilma af Klint to Mark Rothko and from Wassily Kandinsky to Rana Begum—explaining how they developed their style and evolved it further. The reference section contains a chronicle of abstract art exhibitions, a list of additional literature, a glossary of key terms, and an index.