Arthur Danto was an influential American philosopher and art critic, best known for his work in the philosophy of art. He served as a professor at Columbia University and contributed significantly to discussions about the nature of art, particularly through his concept of the "artworld," which emphasizes the context in which art is created and understood. Danto gained prominence in the 1960s with his essay "The Artworld," where he argued that the definition of art is not fixed but shaped by cultural and historical contexts. His ideas helped bridge the gap between philosophy and contemporary art, influencing artists and theorists alike, including figures like Andy Warhol and Marcel Duchamp.