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Abstract Expressionism: Modern Art Explained

by Rosie Cole | Dec 18, 2024 | Uncategorised

Abstract Expressionism started in the 1940s and ’50s in New York City¹. It was the first American modernist movement. This art style moved away from pictures to focus on expressive brush-strokes and spontaneous marks¹.

The movement came out of the Great Depression and World War II². It showed the social and emotional turmoil of those times². Artists like Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko were key figures¹.

After the war, Abstract Expressionism made New York a major art center¹. It drew in many talented artists from around the world¹. This movement also influenced later styles like Minimalism and Pop art¹.

Introduction to Abstract Expressionism

Abstract Expressionism burst onto the scene in the early 1940s, mainly in³ New York. The artists, known as the “New York School,” had similar views but weren’t a group³. They moved away from traditional ways of creating art, making huge pieces that showed their inner thoughts³.

The movement was shaped by European modernism, Surrealism, and the war’s impact⁴.

Abstract Expressionism was the first American art movement to be widely recognized globally⁴. Many artists were influenced by Marxist ideas of fairness and equality. A surge of immigrant artists in the 1930s also helped shape the movement’s new forms⁴.

The artists preferred not to be called “abstract.” They believed their work came from deep, shared images in society’s unconscious⁴. They drew from Carl Jung’s ideas on archetypes and Existentialist philosophy. This led to art filled with personal and emotional meanings⁴.

The³ New York School, at the heart of abstract expressionist painting, thrived in the 1950s and 1960s in New York City³. Abstract Expressionism mainly influenced painting but also touched sculpture and photography⁴. The movement is linked to styles like “Action Painting” and “Colour Field,”⁴ and it paved the way for new art styles like Pop Art and Minimalism in the mid-20th century⁴.

Key Characteristics of Abstract Expressionism

Abstract Expressionism is all about spontaneity and improvisation, focusing on the process⁵. The art can’t be put into one style but falls into two main types. These are dynamic gestures and calm, colour-focused pieces⁵. The art often stays abstract, even when it’s based on real things⁵.

Artists loved to express themselves directly and honestly. They saw the gesture as proof of their art’s creation⁵. Many of these works were huge, aiming to pull viewers into the art itself⁵.

In the 1940s and 50s, Abstract Expressionism started in New York. It was bold and emotionally deep, moving away from earlier styles⁶. The artists were influenced by European modernism, like Surrealism, which explored the unconscious⁶.

The paintings were massive, showing the American spirit of independence⁶. There were two main styles: gestural abstraction with its bold strokes and colour field painting with its large colours⁶. This movement made New York a key place for art, changing the global art scene⁶.

Abstract Expressionism started in the late 1940s and peaked in the 1950s⁷. Famous artists like Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko were part of it⁷. The movement had many styles, each with its own way of expressing emotions and technique⁷.

Notable Artists in Abstract Expressionism

The Abstract Expressionism movement was filled with talented artists, each with their own style⁸. Jackson Pollock was famous for his drip painting technique⁹. Willem de Kooning moved between abstract and figurative art, showing the movement’s range⁸. Lee Krasner, Pollock’s wife, was also an artist but faced gender bias.

Mark Rothko focused on large, colour-based fields⁸. Barnett Newman and Clyfford⁸ developed their own styles within the movement⁸. Alma Thomas started painting at 68, and Jay DeFeo didn’t identify with a specific movement but is often included⁸.

Grace Hartigan used a male name to fight gender bias in art⁸. Elaine de Kooning explored identity through her portraits, adding a unique touch to Abstract Expressionism⁸. Helen Frankenthaler’s soak-stain method changed Color Field Painting, showing the movement’s growth.

Artists like Andrew Crane, Angelika Millmaker, Jane Pryor, Paul Coghlin, and Luca Grechi show Abstract Expressionism’s lasting impact⁹. They’ve kept the movement’s spirit alive, adding their own twist to it⁹.

Major Styles within Abstract Expressionism

Abstract Expressionism was a groundbreaking art movement in the mid-20th century. It included two main styles: action painting and colour field painting¹⁰¹¹.

Action painters like Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning focused on the act of painting itself. They used their bodies to move paint around, showing energy and movement¹⁰. Their work was all about capturing the subconscious and showing the inner self¹¹.

Colour field painters, on the other hand, used big areas of colour to create feelings and wonder¹⁰. Artists like Mark Rothko, Clyfford Stil, and Barnett Newman made paintings that were huge. They wanted to make viewers feel something deep and spiritual¹¹.

Even though these styles seem different, they shared a common goal. They both aimed to show the subconscious and inner self¹⁰. Helen Frankenthaler’s “soak-stain” method was a mix of both styles, blending action painting with colour field painting¹¹.

These styles have greatly influenced the art world. They have inspired many artists to explore what paint can do and the power of abstract art¹⁰¹¹.

The Role of Technique in Abstract Expressionism

Abstract Expressionists were known for their creative techniques. These techniques helped shape the movement’s unique visual language¹². Jackson Pollock’s “drip painting” involved splattering paint on the canvas, often on the floor. He used sticks and turkey basters for this¹³.

Willem de Kooning used wide, sweeping strokes to cover the canvas completely¹³. Helen Frankenthaler created ethereal effects by applying thinned paint to untreated canvas¹³.

These methods highlighted spontaneity and the physical act of painting¹³. The artists aimed to express their inner feelings through their work. They moved away from detailed planning and execution¹⁴.

The movement split into two main styles: gestural abstraction and colour field painting. Both styles focused on the expressive and physical aspects of painting¹⁴.

The Influence of Surrealism and Cubism

Abstract Expressionism was shaped by European modernist movements, like Surrealism and Cubism¹⁵. Cubism, starting in the early 1900s, was key in abstract expressionism’s growth. Artists like Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque changed how we see space¹⁶. The Surrealists’ focus on the unconscious mind also inspired American artists¹⁶.

The Surrealist idea of psychic automatism influenced the spontaneous nature of Abstract Expressionism¹⁶. This movement also drew from ancient cultures for inspiration¹⁷. European artists like Cezanne and Picasso explored abstraction in different ways. American artists, embracing the irrational, broke free from European traditions¹⁷.

Jungian psychology, with its collective unconscious idea, attracted many Abstract Expressionists¹⁶.

In short, abstract expressionism was heavily influenced by Cubism and Surrealism. These movements gave American artists both technical and conceptual ideas¹⁷. The Abstract Expressionists wanted to add to modern art, creating their own language. They used psychic automatism and the collective unconscious to do so¹⁷.

Abstract Expressionism and Other Art Movements

Abstract Expressionism started in the United States in the 1940s and 1950s. This was a time of great change after World War II and the start of the Cold War¹⁸. It began in New York City and was known as the “New York School.”¹⁸

This movement was different from earlier American art styles like Regionalism and Social Realism. Those styles focused on showing real things and telling stories¹⁹.

Abstract Expressionism also led to Colour Field painting in the 1960s¹⁸. Even though it wasn’t directly political, it stood for freedom. This was against the strict art rules of Communist countries¹⁹.

The movement changed art from showing things to just using colours and shapes. This change helped pave the way for more abstract art in America and around the world.

Artists like Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, and Mark Rothko were key in Abstract Expressionism¹⁸. They used different styles, from Pollock’s drip painting to Rothko’s colour field paintings and Newman’s simple “zip” paintings¹⁸.

Abstract Expressionism has had a big impact on art. It inspired the Cobra group in Europe and artists like Cy Twombly¹⁹. Its influence can be seen in many different types of abstract and non-representational art today.

The Reception of Abstract Expressionism

The public’s first reaction to Abstract Expressionism was mixed. The movement’s large scale and unorthodox techniques shocked many. Yet, it slowly gained acceptance through major museum exhibitions, like those at the Museum of Modern Art in New York²⁰.

Art critic Robert Coates even coined the term “Abstract Expressionism” in 1946 for The New Yorker. This helped define the movement²⁰.

The CIA played a role in promoting Abstract Expressionism globally during the Cold War²⁰. This support made the movement more visible worldwide²⁰.

Some critics questioned the movement’s simplicity and repetitive styles. They doubted its intellectual depth and technical skill²⁰. But others saw its focus on individual expression and the subconscious as groundbreaking²⁰.

The debates around Abstract Expressionism’s credibility and accessibility were intense. They sparked discussions on the role of art in society²⁰.

The movement’s connection to Surrealism and Cubism shaped its public image. Its ties to New York City’s foreign-born artists in the 1920s and 1930s also played a part²⁰. The movement’s influence on popular culture, discussed in Harper’s Magazine, added to the ongoing dialogue²⁰.

Abstract Expressionism in Popular Culture

The Abstract Expressionist movement changed popular culture after the war²¹. Artists like Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko met in New York’s Greenwich Village. They often went to the Cedar Tavern²². These meetings, known as a “decade-long bender,” were famous in the art world²².

This movement valued individual expression and challenged old art rules²². It also influenced design, fashion, and what people found beautiful²¹.

Artists like Pollock, de Kooning, and Rothko captured the mood of the time²³. Their work moved the art world’s focus from Europe to New York²¹. This change made Abstract Expressionism a lasting part of culture²².

Abstract Expressionism made a big impact on culture. It changed the art world and influenced design, fashion, and more²¹²²²³.

Abstract Expressionism and Gender

Abstract Expressionism is often linked with male artists, but women like Elaine de Kooning, Helen Frankenthaler, Lee Krasner, and Joan Mitchell made big impacts²⁴. Yet, these women struggled to get the recognition they deserved, compared to their male peers²⁵.

In the 1950s, men like William de Kooning, Jackson Pollock, Barnett Newman, and Mark Rothko dominated Abstract Expressionism²⁵. They showed extreme masculinity in their art and actions, pushing traditional gender roles²⁵. The Artists Club of Abstract Expressionists even excluded women, as Lee Krasner shared in an interview, feeling she didn’t fit in because of her gender²⁵.

Female artists were often expected to be wives and mothers, or had to give up these roles to pursue their art²⁵. They faced discrimination and belittling from men in the art world of the 1950s²⁵. The paintings of Abstract Expressionism often showed women as either dangerous or passive, reinforcing strict gender roles²⁵.

But, recent studies and exhibitions are now celebrating the roles of women in Abstract Expressionism, correcting the historical imbalance²⁶. Judith Godwin’s “Expressions of Life” exhibition was a huge success, highlighting the significance of specific brushstrokes in works like “Black Cross” and “Elegy”²⁶. Exhibitions are now focusing on gender in Abstract Expressionism, giving female artists the spotlight they deserve²⁶.

The Global Reach of Abstract Expressionism

Abstract Expressionism, a key American art movement, made a big impact worldwide. It emerged after World War II and drew artists from all over. This style, known for its boldness and experimentation, helped shape art in Europe, Japan, and more²⁷²⁸.

The turning point was when the Museum of Modern Art’s 1958-1959 tour, “The New American Painting,” showed Abstract Expressionism to the world. Backed by the CIA, this tour helped shift art’s focus from Paris to New York²⁹.

Artists in Europe loved Abstract Expressionism for its focus on individuality and emotional depth. Artists like Alan Davie from Britain, Georges Mathieu from France, and Kenzo Okada from Japan were inspired by its boldness²⁷.

Abstract Expressionism’s influence is clear in later art movements. It inspired Minimalist colour field paintings and the graphic Pop Art. Its ability to connect with people across cultures has made it a global art movement²⁸.

Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of Abstract Expressionism

Abstract Expressionism’s legacy keeps shaping³⁰ today’s art, marking a key shift in art history. It moved focus from Europe to America and from realistic to abstract³¹. The movement’s focus on personal expression, spontaneity, and the act of painting has deeply influenced artists³².

It also made New York a global art hub, a status it holds today³⁰. Its impact is not just in painting but also in sculpture, photography, and more. This solidifies its role in modern art’s³² evolution.

The³¹ New York school started in the 1940s, a bold art scene in post-World War II New York. Artists like³¹ Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, and Willem de Kooning led the way³¹. The movement split into action painters and colour field painters, each leaving a lasting mark³¹.

Automatism, creating without thinking, has become a common technique. This shows the movement’s big impact on³⁰ art.

Today, Abstract Expressionism’s legacy is seen in many artists who keep exploring new ways to express themselves. They draw inspiration from the movement’s bold, emotive, and³⁰ innovative style. As an³⁰ American cultural export, its influence is worldwide, making it a key moment in modern art’s³² history.