The American – Abstract Expressionism

The American – Abstract Expressionism

Abstract Expressionism came on the American scene after World War II and continued through the 1940′s, 50′s and into the 1960′s. It is characterized by the extreme application of paint on the canvas and to some critics its messiness. Abstract Expressionism is also referred to as Gestural Abstraction, which applies to the method of how the paint is applied to the canvas. This is usually achieved by dripping, smearing, dabbing and any other unique method of putting paint to canvas. A few of the best at doing ‘Action Painting’ are Jackson Pollock, Franz Kline and Willem de Kooning.

Some characteristics of Abstract Expressionism include appling the paint in a calligraphic manner like writing with the paint. Also, the use of unconventionally applying the paint in shapes using brilliant colors.

Two of the best in Abstract Expressionism are:

Willem de Kooning

He was born on April 24, 1904 and died on March 19, 1997. He immigrated to the United States in 1926 and worked in New York in a variety of fields including commercial art, sign painting, and window dresser and as a carpenter. It was in New York that Willem met other artist such as John Graham and worked for the Federal Art Project.

From the 1950′s Willem de Kooning created his first ‘woman’ paintings and at the time they had caused a scandal. One of these ‘woman’ paintings is ‘Woman III’ painted in 1953 was purchased for $137.5 million dollars and is now in a private collection.

The Museum of Modern Art (MoMa) is currently having a ‘Retrospective’ of Willem de Kooning’s art work from September 18, 2011 through January 9, 2012. The showing brings together over 200 of his works from both public collections as well as private collections.

Jackson Pollock

Another of the Abstract Expressionist was Jackson Pollock who was born in 1912 and died in 1956. In 1936 he was introduced to the use of using liquid paint at an experimental workshop in New York City. In the 1940′s he used the technique of pouring and dripping liquid paint on canvas and boards. This technique is considered as one of the origins for the term ‘action painting’. Aside from using his hands and wrist he sometimes would use his whole body to create a painting.

An example of Jackson Pollock’s painting is ‘No.5, 1948′ this painting was sold for $140 million dollars and now is in a private collection, also.