The essential character of oil painting has been obscured by an almost universal misreading of the relationship between its ‘tradition’ and its ‘masters’. Certain exceptional artists in exceptional circumstances broke free of the norms of the tradition and produced work that was diametrically opposed to its values; yet these artists are acclaimed as the tradition’s [...]

“A painting is meant to be viewed, a symphony to be heard, a novel to be read-and not by the artist alone. Works of art are vehicles of communication, and communication is possible only within a comprehending community. Art for the artist alone is as problematic as a private language. For a [...]