Willem de Kooning Abstract Expressionism Action Painting painting

Willem de Kooning Abstract Expressionism Action Painting “painting is a way of living” -Willem de Kooning The title excavation deals with digging up the art of the past to find a new meaning for it. (1947 - MOMA did an exhibition of petroglyphs and cave paintings) Canvas = an arena in which to act The painting has become a record of an event. Excavation, 1950

Willem de Kooning Abstract Expressionism Action Painting de Kooning was criticized due to his use of the female form in his work. Since Action painters were to be free of the preconceived image. He painted the female figure in a very crude manner in a reaction to the way women were portrayed in the media. (ex. Marilyn Monroe) Woman, 1944

Woman, 1944

(detail) Woman, 1944

Willem de Kooning Abstract Expressionism He is was Dutch artist that was trained in the trompe. L’ole technique. Early in his career, he was said to be a technical expert with his paint He met Arshile Gorky who introduced him to Automatism which was based on surrealism. It is also known as automatic drawing. Woman IV, 1952

Woman IV, 1952

Willem de Kooning Abstract Expressionism He developed Alzheimer's late in his career, but he continued to paint. People began to question whether his art was the product of a good painter or an ill person with little control. He painted the subject of the woman for over twenty years. Seated Woman, 1952

Seated Woman, 1952

Willem de Kooning Abstract Expressionism In 1983 one of de Kooning’s paintings titled Two Women sold for a record $1, 200, 000. It was the largest amount of money ever paid for by a living artist. Unfortunately, de Kooning had to wait until he was fifty years old before he was able to live on his paintings Study for Woman #1, 1952

Willem de Kooning Abstract Expressionism Action Painting “painting is a way of living” -Willem de Kooning Canvas = an arena in which to act A painting must be felt, not known The painting has become a record of an event. Woman , 1954

Woman , 1954

Willem de Kooning Abstract Expressionism Action Painting “painting is a way of living” -Willem de Kooning Canvas = an arena in which to act A painting must be felt, not known The painting has become a record of an event. Gotham News , 1955

Willem de Kooning Abstract Expressionism Action Painting “painting is a way of living” -Willem de Kooning Canvas = an arena in which to act A painting must be felt, not known The painting has become a record of an event. Saturday Night , 1956