This reference exhibition catalogue explores the rise and development of abstract art in the United States, offering a thorough analysis of its origins, aesthetic foundations, and major phases throughout the twentieth century.

Clearly structured, the volume opens with key theoretical chapters such as What Is Abstract Art? and Why Abstract Art?, which examine the nature of abstraction, its intellectual and cultural motivations, and its role as a form of artistic protest and rupture with figurative tradition. The influence of European movements, notably Cubism and Futurism, is also carefully addressed.

The book then traces the decisive introduction of abstract art in America through the Armory Show, followed by an in-depth study of two major waves of abstraction:

– the first, from 1912 to approximately 1925, characterized by early experimentation and pioneering efforts;

– the second, from around 1930 to 1950, structured around distinct tendencies including pure geometric abstraction, architectural and mechanical geometry, naturalistic geometry, expressionist geometric abstraction, and biomorphic expressionism.

Richly illustrated with plates, the catalogue includes a detailed listing of the exhibited works, scholarly entries, a list of lenders, and a specialized bibliography, making it an essential research tool for the study of modern American art.

At the crossroads of art history, aesthetic theory, and exhibition documentation, this volume is intended for scholars, students, curators, and informed readers seeking a comprehensive understanding of the emergence and diversity of abstract art in the United States.