Let's start by the beginning.

[aplumpton]

<p>Bela, rather than argue your thoughts, here are two definitions that describe abstraction and abstract art:<br>

<strong>Abstract Art</strong> is a generic term that describes two different methods of abstraction: 'semi abstraction' and 'pure abstraction'. The word 'abstract' means to withdraw part of something in order to consider it separately. In Abstract art that 'something' is one or more of the visual elements of a subject: its line, shape, tone, pattern, texture, or form. <br /> <strong>Semi-Abstraction</strong> is where the image still has one foot in representational art, (see <strong><em>Cubism</em></strong> and Futurism). It uses a type of stylisation where the artist selects, develops and refines specific visual elements (e.g. line, color and <em><strong>shape</strong></em>) in order to create a poetic reconstruction or simplified essence of the original subject.<br /> (Source: www.<strong>art</strong>yfactory.com)<br>

I think "Envol harmonieux" and some of the other examples given above probably adhere to the second definition.<br>

Abstract art existed at least 35,000 years before Cubism, Futurism, Surrealism</p>