Robert Mangold’s gently curving, majestic paintings are among the most beautiful abstract works of the late twentieth century. Emerging in the 1960s, Mangold is often associated with Minimalism for his non-hierarchical compositions and use of simple geometric forms. His subtle colours and soft, hand-drawn figures also recall other sources, from traditional Greek pottery to the frescoes of Piero. Among the most accomplished painters working today, Mangold is collected in the world’s pre-eminent museums.

This first comprehensive monograph assesses Mangold’s contribution to contemporary painting, with essays by some of the most distinguished writers on contemporary art. Richard Shiff, Chair in Art at the University of Texas, Austin, interprets Mangold’s art in the context of its broad cultural history; Robert Storr, curator at The Museum of Modern Art, New York, analyses the work in relation to late twentieth-century painting; Arthur C Danto, Professor of Philosophy at Columbia University, New York, examines in depth the Zone Paintings series; and art critic Nancy Princenthal presents a chronological history of the concepts in the work. Also included is a conversation with the artist’s wife, painter Sylvia Plimack Mangold, on the sources behind his work, and artist’s statements accompanied by photographs of the artist in his studio by their son, the noted filmmaker James Mangold.