We introduce a framework for a nonlinear potential theory without a kernel on a reflexive, strictly convex and smooth Banach space of functions. Nonlinear potentials are defined as images of nonnegative continuous linear functionals on that space under the duality mapping. We study potentials and reduced functions by using a variant of the Gauss-Frostman quadratic functional. The framework allows a development of other main concepts of nonlinear potential theory such as capacities, equilibrium potentials and measures of finite energy.
