Mountains and Sea by Helen Frankenthaler Abstract Expressionism

What is Abstract Expressionism?  Abstract expressionism was specifically American post-World War II art movement.  The movement originated in New York’s Greenwich Village in the mid-1940’s  The movement's name is derived from the combination of the emotional intensity and self-denial of the German Expressionists.  The movement was put into motion by Arshile Gorky whose paintings were derived from the art of Surrealism, Picasso, and Miro.

 It was the first movement in America to spread world wide and put New York City on the map as center of art world, taking the place of Paris.  Although it spread throughout the United States, it was mostly centered around New York City and the San Francisco Bay area.  After WWII, images of the Holocaust were everywhere. Since photographs of the Holocaust were more powerful, socially aware artists began to explore shape or color.  Most painters of the movement favored large canvasses, dramatic colors, and loose brushwork.. What is Abstract Expressionism?

 Paintings usually contained a lot of orange or blue.  Not only painters, but sculptors, photographers and filmmakers were apart of the movement.  Had two streams: Action Painting & Color Field and Hard- Edge Painting What else?

Action Painting (late 1940’s – late 1950’s)  Term used for the first time in  The life energy and the psyche of the painter were the driving forces behind the paintings.  The canvas was seen as an arena.  The painting was irrational and impulsive, conveying fast movement and action.  Famous Action Painters: Jackson Pollock Willem de-Kooning Franz Kline

The Moon Woman by Jackson Pollock Untitled by Franz Kline

Color Field & Hard-Edge (early 1960’s)  Two formal trends in American abstraction.  Color field paintings consisted of large colored areas. The shades of color were usually diluted to sink into the canvas.  Hard-Edge describes geometric abstract works, and had clearly defined outlines and edges.  Famous Color Field & Hard-Edge Painters: Helen Frankenthaler Barnett Newman Mark Rothko

Who's Afraid of Red, Yellow and Blue ? By Barnett Newman White Center by Mark Rothko

Impact of Abstract Expressionism  The philosophy of Abstract Expressionism searches for answers to the questions of human existence. It addresses personal psychological battles, the outer struggle between man and nature, and the hunt for spiritual comfort. All of these concepts were expressed through abstraction, finding meaning in relating the act of painting with a release of subconscious feelings and desires. The movement had a profound impact on later generations of American artists, particularly in their use of color and materials.

Mark Rothko

Jackson Pollack

Helen Frankenthaler