W. Turner's watercolors and their proto-abstract sensibility as precursors to Sargent's, which often include their own nondescriptive forms, scattering and reforming themselves into depictions of places and things.

WSJ: Fluid, Evanescent Images | John Singer Sargent Watercolors | Brooklyn Museum | By Tom L. Freudenheim

These small, highly detailed pieces are a far cry from the larger, more abstract forms Mr. Jaffe often favors, and so much the better.

WSJ: Eastern Expansion | Yale University Art Gallery | Ruth Barnes | Cultural Conversation by Lee Lawrence

Claiming that the EU is too often seen as an "abstract end in itself" and detached from economic reality, he outlined his vision for a more "outward looking", "flexible" and "diverse" union which puts advancing its citizens living standards above all else.

BBC: Euro crisis 'opportunity for UK' to reclaim powers - PM

Far too often CEOs hire executives based on an abstract notion of what they think the executive should look and feel like.

FORBES: Preparing To Fire an Executive