Abstract Expressionism

Description

**Abstract Expressionism** was a major artistic movement that emerged in the United States in the 1940s and 1950s, characterized by an emphasis on spontaneous, automatic, or subconscious creation. It is often considered the first American art movement to achieve international influence, marking a shift away from the European dominance of the art world at the time.

Key features of Abstract Expressionism include:

### 1. **Emotional Intensity**:
Artists sought to convey deep emotions and psychological states through abstract forms and vibrant colors. This was a reaction against the rigid constraints of earlier art movements, such as Cubism or Surrealism.

### 2. **Non-representational Art**:
Abstract Expressionism is defined by its rejection of figurative representation. Rather than portraying recognizable subjects, artists focused on the physical act of painting and the emotional impact of shapes and colors.

### 3. **Gestural Brushwork**:
The movement is associated with bold, expressive brushwork and an emphasis on the physicality of painting. The artists often used large canvases, and their brushstrokes or splatters were seen as a direct reflection of the artist’s emotions.

### 4. **Influence of Surrealism and Freudian Psychology**:
Abstract Expressionism was influenced by Surrealism’s emphasis on the unconscious mind, as well as the ideas of psychoanalysis, particularly the work of Freud. The emphasis was on spontaneous, unplanned creation as a way to tap into the subconscious.

### Major Artists of Abstract Expressionism:
– **Jackson Pollock**: Known for his “drip” paintings, Pollock used techniques like pouring or dripping paint onto the canvas, creating dense, layered surfaces. His work is often cited as the epitome of the movement.

– **Willem de Kooning**: Known for his aggressive brushstrokes and depictions of the human form, de Kooning’s work blends abstraction with figuration.

– **Mark Rothko**: Known for his large-scale color field paintings, Rothko created works that focused on large, flat planes of color designed to evoke emotional responses.

– **Franz Kline**: Known for his bold, black and white paintings, Kline’s works focused on the dramatic contrast between simple, large-scale gestures.

### Key Characteristics of Abstract Expressionism:
– **Spontaneity**: Much of the work was created through improvisational techniques, such as splattering, dripping, or brushing paint in an uncontrolled, unplanned manner.

– **Scale and Monumentality**: Many works were large in scale, further emphasizing the physicality of the painting process and the emotional depth conveyed through size.

– **Action Painting**: Popularized by Jackson Pollock, this approach emphasizes the act of painting itself, with the physical movement of the artist’s body central to the artwork.

### Cultural Context:
The movement developed in the post-World War II era, during a time of great social and political upheaval. It mirrored the anxieties and optimism of the era, reflecting themes of personal freedom, existential questioning, and the impact of the modern world.

**Abstract Expressionism’s Influence:**
While it became the dominant movement in American art throughout the 1950s, its influence continued throughout the 20th century and into contemporary art, affecting later movements such as Minimalism and Postmodernism.

In summary, Abstract Expressionism was a radical departure from traditional forms of art, focusing on freedom, individual expression, and the psychological exploration of the human condition.