Greene (art studies, North Carolina State University, emeritus) admits that his concept is a difficult one. There are styles in art that are successful in their time but end abruptly and
without imitators. This end is so complete that most people don't even notice that they no longer exist. He compares this to fads in clothing and catch phrases but believes that the death of
the art signals a change in society that might be equally unnoticed. Allowing that there are historical reasons for the sudden switch, he nevertheless feels that psychological, artistic answers
also exist and should be examined. He gives four examples: the end of Mayan art, Song dynasty Chinese landscape paintings, modern Expressionism as exemplified by Gustav Klimt and late
twentieth-century "meaningful meaninglessness," including abstract expressionism and existentialism. Annotation 穢2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
