Abstract expressionism

Abstract expressionism is a major art movement that emerged in the United States after World War II. It became widely accepted by the mainstream during the 1950s. This movement marked a massive shift in the global art landscape. Before this era, the center of the Western art world was Paris. Because of abstract expressionism, New York City took over that central role. The movement was known for being rebellious, highly individualistic, and sometimes seen as anarchic. It was not a single style but a collection of different approaches.

To understand how these artists worked, one must look at their specific methods. Many artists used the concept of spontaneity to guide their hands. Jackson Pollock developed a famous technique called action painting. He would lay a canvas on the floor and drip paint onto it. This method had roots in the work of Surrealists like André Masson and Max Ernst. Another approach involved the use of large areas of color. These are known as Color Field paintings, a style used by Mark Rothko. While the work often looked spontaneous, many artists used careful planning. This was necessary because their canvases were often very large in scale.

There were several distinct types of expression within this movement. Action painters, such as Willem de Kooning and Franz Kline, focused on energetic gestures. Their work often felt busy or even violent. In contrast, Color Field painters like Clyfford Still and Barnett Newman used rectangles of color. These works focused more on pure color and space. The movement also included significant work in sculpture and collage. Artists like David Smith and Louise Nevelson created three-dimensional works that were part of the movement. Even the Northwest artist Mark Tobey contributed to this era. His "white writing" canvases anticipated the "all-over" look seen in later drip paintings.

The history of the movement is tied to many different influences. It combined the emotional intensity of German Expressionism with European avant-garde styles. These included Futurism, the Bauhaus, and Synthetic Cubism. The term "abstract expressionism" was used in Germany as early as 1919. In 1946, the critic Robert Coates applied the term to American art. He used it to describe a review of 18 paintings by Hans Hofmann. The movement grew during the 1940s in New York galleries like The Art of This Century. It arose as a departure from the social realism of the 1930s. That earlier style had been shaped by the Great Depression and Mexican muralists.

Art critics played a vital role in making these artists famous. Clement Greenberg was a major proponent who supported Jackson Pollock. He believed painting should become more "pure" by focusing on marks on a flat surface. Another critic, Harold Rosenberg, viewed the canvas as an "arena in which to act." He saw the painting process as an existential drama or an event. Other important critics included Thomas B. Hess and Meyer Schapiro. These writers helped elevate the New York School to international status. Their support helped turn artists into household names.

Many notable figures belonged to the New York School. Painters included Arshile Gorky, Lee Krasner, and Adolph Gottlieb. Sculptors like Isamu Noguchi and David Smith were also essential members. Noguchi's work, such as "The Cry," shows the movement's reach into sculpture.

The movement even included poets like Frank O'Hara and filmmakers like Robert Frank. In 1951, many sculptors participated in the famous Ninth Street Show. This exhibition was curated by Leo Castelli in New York City. These diverse creators all contributed to a shared sense of intellectual rebellion.

Abstract expressionism had a lasting impact on the art world. By the early 1960s, its dominance began to fade. New movements like Pop art and Minimalism emerged as a reaction against it. These newer styles rejected the intense focus on individualism. However, the influence of the movement continued through the rest of the 20th century. It can be seen in European movements like Tachisme and Neo-expressionism. The movement changed the way we view the act of creation. It proved that art could be a direct expression of the human mind and spirit.