Minimalism inspired a wealth of writing on art theory, in particular popular aesthetics, and extended its influence into poetry and dance.

Minimalism was the first significant art movement to have been established entirely by US-born artists. The term developed from a comment by US art critic Barbara Rose, who described the artworks as being pared down to the ‘minimum’.

Minimalist art removes all representational imagery or similarity to the subject, and works on the belief that art should be like mathematics - rational, simple, and clear - not complicated by personal, social, moral, and philosophical values. Artworks are, therefore, without metaphor, imagery, or meaning. Paintings are often geometric in style, featuring grid systems and single, unified images. Evidence of an artist's personal touch, such as brushstrokes, is also removed in an attempt to make art that bridges the gap between a work of inspiration and an everyday object.

Despite its apparent restrictions, minimal art varies greatly in style from the monochrome (one-colour) paintings of Agnes Martin, to Carl Andre's horizontal structures of stacked beams. Minimalism has also set new goals in art, particularly in sculpture, by attempting to remove the spatial illusions that give artworks space, depth, or perspective.

Leading minimalist artists include Carl Andre, Dan Flavin, Donald Judd, Sol LeWitt, Richard Serra, and Frank Stella.

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Minimalism