[Republicanprofessor]

At the risk of sounding like a hopeless academic, I have done a few essays on Free Republic on the development of abstract art. You can see Cezanne, Braque and Picasso in these threads.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1419876/posts on Cezanne and van Gogh

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1427099/posts on the development of Cubism

You are right, all of this began in the nineteenth century, although some might even say that the flattening process (which ultimately led to Picasso and Pollock) began with Manet and his Picnic.

I did just see Pollock's One at the Museum of Modern Art, and the power in his large, great pieces never ceases to amaze me. Not all of them are great, but when he strikes it right, it is wonderful.

When I was there, a German couple were also sitting on the bench, studying it and discussing it in German. I wished I'd understood what they were saying.

[neverdem]

Thanks for the links!

[Dark Skies]

Professor...thx very much for your post. Of course, please put me on your ping list.

I just finished reading your post on Cezanne and Van Gogh. It is remarkable. I look forward to reading the others.

[Bahbah]

Thanks for the ping, prof. Very interesting regarding both art and the workings of the mind.

[dangus]

Yes.... if there is an art ping, please put me on it.