Abstract: The stylistic difference between the avant-garde art and the traditional proves to be a big challenge even to art critics. The pressure posed by the title of art critic may propel the critics to produce a pioneering theory or an over-interpretation. Over-interpretation may be exemplified by Leo Steinberg's appreciative analysis of Jasper Johns. After a close examination, the paper claims that Steinberg had not really stepped out of the dominating shadow of formalism. The essential reason for his failure lies in the fact that Steinberg failed in grasping the essential nature of self-authorization in modern art, and the paper maintains that a new understanding of the essential nature may lead to a possible way.

Key words: avant-garde art, Leo Steinberg, over-interpretation, Jasper Johns, self-authorization of modern art