Abstract Expressionism
Abstract Expressionism is a post–World War II art movement in American painting, developed in New York in the 1940s. It was the first specifically American movement to gain international influence and put New York City at the center of the art world, a role formerly filled by Paris.
Origins and Development
The movement's roots can be traced to the 1930s with artists such as Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, and Mark Rothko, who were part of a group of artists known as the New York School. Abstract Expressionism was influenced by various factors:
- The devastation of Europe during World War II, leading to a shift in the art world's center of gravity from Paris to New York.
- The influx of European artists fleeing fascism, bringing with them new ideas and techniques.
- The philosophical and psychological insights from Surrealism, particularly the emphasis on the unconscious mind.
- Post-war existentialism and the search for meaning in a chaotic world.
Key Characteristics
- Emotional Intensity: Abstract Expressionist works often convey intense emotional expression through spontaneous, automatic, or subconscious creation.
- Action Painting and Color Field: Two major subcategories emerged:
- Action Painting, where the physical act of painting itself was seen as crucial, exemplified by artists like Jackson Pollock with his drip technique.
- Color Field painting, focusing on the use of large areas of color to evoke an emotional response, seen in works by Mark Rothko and Barnett Newman.
- Subjectivity: The art was highly personal and subjective, often without a clear narrative or objective representation.
- Scale: Many works were large in scale, intended to envelop the viewer.
Notable Artists
- Jackson Pollock – Known for his "drip paintings" which involved dripping or throwing paint onto the canvas.
- Willem de Kooning – His work often incorporated figures, moving between abstraction and figuration.
- Mark Rothko – Focused on the emotional power of color through soft-edged rectangles.
- Franz Kline – Known for his bold, black-and-white abstract paintings.
Influence and Legacy
Abstract Expressionism had a profound influence on subsequent art movements, including:
- It paved the way for Pop Art by breaking with traditional forms and introducing a new visual language.
- The movement's emphasis on the process of creation influenced Minimalism and Conceptual Art.
- It also led to international movements like Art Informel in Europe.
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