An important figure in the evolution of modern art was the German-American abstract painter Hans Hofmann. He was born in 1880, had a lengthy career spanning more than 60 years, and made a lasting impression on the art world.

Hofmann frequently highlighted art's function as a reflection of human creativity and spirit when discussing what it means to him. Every work of art, in his opinion, is like a snapshot of its period, encapsulating not only the aesthetic qualities of the time but also the spirit of its cultural climate. Artists use their works to record the emotions, ideas, and experiences of their contemporaries, much like historians use written records to comprehend past societies.

Think of art as a mirror that society holds up, reflecting back what is significant and pertinent at any given time. Each piece of art thus becomes more than just a work of art; it is a reflection of the era in which it was produced. This concept is very in line with Hofmann's view that art is about expression as much as beauty.

This way of looking at art allows one to see how each paintbrush stroke or sculpted form adds to a larger story of cultural evolution and human development. According to Hofmann, art is a vital tool for comprehending history and humanity since each piece of art essentially tells us something different about the world from which it originated.