Material Imagination examines the interrelated concepts of matter, materialism, and materiality in postwar European art, from 1946-1972. * Provides a unique perspective on European art by prioritizing material dimensions over concept or context, while also paying attention to theoretical and historical concerns * Explores artists' methods and materials in order to better understand the social and cultural environments in which their works of art were made * Demonstrates how materials can be harnessed to affect the critical interpretation of artwork * Brings together exceptional illustrations and new research in eight essays by art historians and scholars