significance gradually emerge in understandable fashion, but
the perplexing related problems of special ability, creative
imagination, and the interlinking of heredity and environment
also become part and parcel of a consistent, unified, and logical
whole. No one will, it is hoped, assume that the viewpoint is
either wholly correct or incorrect: time alone will be the final
corrective, and the whole, complete truth perhaps never
known, but the viewpoint set down herein is at least not incon-
sistent with extant knowledge.

As a phase of the process of rendering the field more consist-
ent throughout, modern art is treated as experimental art; as
products of trial and error, of introducing variations, of con-
solidating technical advances, of groping attempts to discover
new means altogether. These efforts are assumed to be sincere
and an attempt is made to evaluate them objectively. Regard-
ing modern art as experimental art permits, furthermore,
avoidance of the time-sequence error, namely, that the latest
is necessarily the most advanced in quality. Progression in art
is not irreversible: mere passage of time does not in itself confer
additive increments of value. All that is certain is that there is
change, following periods of increasing or decreasing interest
and activity: the ensuing art production may be superior, in-
different, or inferior. In the position taken here, 'modern'
is an indefinite designation, evaluation of any product being
determined by more significant and permanent considerations.

The treatment of special ability and creative processes con-
stitutes a relatively new position, an outcome of extensive
research, special case studies, contacts with producing artists,
and checking with data in related fields. The presentation
here is merely a sketch of the complete picture, since the
detailed, factual material is published in fairly complete form
in scientific journals, to which the reader desiring the more
explicit account is referred. The material may contribute, it is
hoped, toward eventual removal of the unwarranted halo of

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