“Abstract art remains misunderstood by the majority of the viewing public. Most people, in fact, consider it meaningless.” These words are from Maurice Tuchman, one of the few commentators brave enough to state the obvious truth. There are many reasons for the failure of understanding which Tuchman describes, but I single out one. Our culture has assumed a form, call it “materialistic consumerism”, which is in fundamental conflict with the aims and revelations of Abstract painting. By way of explication, I am going to tell a story which is an outlandish affront to conventional art history.