1. Abstract Expressionism

2. Willem de Kooning: Depictions of Woman in Art
MoMA Abstract Expressionism Theme

3. Questions
Why might an artist choose to paint abstractly instead of representationally—depicting figures, shapes, objects, or scenes?
What kinds of choices do artists make when painting?
MoMA Abstract Expressionism Theme

4. Take a close look at Woman I by Willem de Kooning…
How would you describe this work to another person?
What do you notice about the application of paint and brushwork? The colors? The background?
If you were to recreate the physical gestures de Kooning made as he painted Woman, I, what would they look like?
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Although the painting appears direct and spontaneous, de Kooning worked on Woman, I for over a year and a half, during which he interspersed vigorous painting sessions with long periods of looking and thinking.
Over months, he applied paint to the canvas and scraped it away. At a point, he even discarded the unfinished painting for several weeks before eventually retrieving it and returning to work.
Willem de Kooning. Woman, I
Oil on canvas, 6' 3 7/8" x 58" (192.7 x cm).
Purchase.
© 2012 The Willem de Kooning Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Willem de Kooning. Woman, I
MoMA Abstract Expressionism Theme

5. How is Woman I different from these other representations of women
How is Woman I different from these other representations of women? How is it similar?
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Woman, I is the first of a series of six paintings of women de Kooning created. He was influenced by images including Paleolithic fertility sculptures, and pinup girls. “Paleolithic” refers to the prehistoric era distinguished by the development of stone tools, and extends roughly 2.6M-12,000 years B.P. (before Present). Paleo = “old”; Lithic = “stone”. He diverges from these traditional representations of women, which he called, "the idol, the Venus, the nude”, de Kooning paints a woman with gigantic eyes, massive breasts, and a toothy grin.
Willem de Kooning. Woman, I
Oil on canvas, 6' 3 7/8" x 58" (192.7 x cm).
Purchase.
© 2012 The Willem de Kooning Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
LEFT TO RIGHT:
Venus von Willendorf paleolithic sculpture, image protected under Creative Commons by Oke; Willem de Kooning. Woman, I ; Pinup Girl image protected under Creative Commons by Tor Kristensen
MoMA Abstract Expressionism Theme

6. Let’s compare Woman, I to Lee Krasner’s Gaea…
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Krasner would lay her canvas on the floor and pour oil paint directly out of the can onto the canvas surface. She would then spread around the paint with large brushes, or even her hands, to create active shapes, colors, and movement. This large scale painting measures 69" x 10' 5 1/2" (175.3 x cm). Lee Krasner was the only female artist associated with the New York school of Abstract Expressionists.
Willem de Kooning. Woman, I
Oil on canvas, 6' 3 7/8" x 58" (192.7 x cm).
Purchase.
© 2012 The Willem de Kooning Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Lee Krasner. Gaea
Oil on canvas, 69" x 10' 5 1/2" (175.3 x cm).
Kay Sage Tanguy Fund. © 2012 Pollock-Krasner Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Lee Krasner. Gaea
How are these paintings similar?
How are they different?
Willem de Kooning. Woman, I
MoMA Abstract Expressionism Theme

7. What words would you use to describe this image?
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In Greek mythology, Gaea means Mother Earth and is the title of Lee Krasner’s painting. Gaea personifies Earth in many forms and is often shown in transition from one form to another.
Anselm Feuerbach, 1875
image licensed under Creative Commons
Anselm Feuerbach, 1875 image licensed under Creative Commons
MoMA Abstract Expressionism Theme

8. Let’s take a closer look…
Lee Krasner. Gaea
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Anselm Feuerbach, 1875
image licensed under Creative Commons
Do you see any lines, forms or gestures that evoke a sense of the movement or shifting forms?
Anselm Feuerbach, 1875 image licensed under Creative Commons
MoMA Abstract Expressionism Theme