Art: The Individualists

Only a year or so ago, almost every major showing of current U.S. painting concentrated on the abstract expressionists. Either there were more of them, or they painted better, or the museum directors favored them. But now museum directors are branching out. This week Manhattan's Whitney Museum of American Art opens a new show of artists in their 205 and early 303 that gives a good—and broader—sampling of what the new generation is up to. As in any group show—especially of young painters—the exhibit is uneven; what is most refreshing about it is...