[close] Stuart Davis was an American painter whose modern work made use of influences from Picasso to Miro to van Gogh, while mirroring the snappy rhythms of swinging jazz. Patricia Hills, a professor of art history at Boston University, celebrates Davis' work in this straightforward chronicle of his 50-year career. More than just an artist, Davis engaged himself in the politics of socialism and the urban aesthetic. While Hills focuses on his artistic achievements, she shows how Davis' contributions in the political arena impacted his work and his community. [close]