The Philosophy and Politics of Abstract Expressionism 1940 1960

Tracing the relationship between Abstract Expressionist artists and contemporary intellectuals particularly the French existentialists Nancy Jachec here offers a new interpretation of the success of America''s first internationally recognized avant-garde art form. She argues that Abstract Expressionism was promoted by the United States government because of its radical character which was considered to appeal to a Western European populace perceived by the State Department as inclined toward Socialism.