11.2 Jackson Pollock and the New York School

Jackson Pollock and the New York School revolutionized American art after World War II. These artists, including Willem de Kooning and Mark Rothko, pushed abstract expressionism to new heights, shifting the art world's center from Paris to New York.

Pollock's innovative "drip" technique embodied the movement's emphasis on spontaneity and individual expression. His large-scale, energetic paintings challenged traditional notions of art, sparking controversy but ultimately reshaping the landscape of modern American art.

Key Figures of the New York School

Central Figures and Their Contributions

Top images from around the web for Central Figures and Their Contributions

• 

  Intergalacticrobot: julho 2019 View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Jackson Pollock - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Jackson Pollock - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Intergalacticrobot: julho 2019 View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Jackson Pollock - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Central Figures and Their Contributions

• 

  Intergalacticrobot: julho 2019 View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Jackson Pollock - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Jackson Pollock - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Intergalacticrobot: julho 2019 View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Jackson Pollock - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Jackson Pollock, known for his innovative "drip" technique, was a central figure in the New York School and helped establish Abstract Expressionism as a major art movement
• Willem de Kooning, another prominent member of the New York School, is known for his gestural and energetic abstract paintings, often featuring recognizable elements like the human figure
• Mark Rothko, associated with the New York School, developed a signature style of color field painting, creating large, luminous canvases with rectangular blocks of color that evoke deep emotional responses

Other Notable Artists

• Franz Kline, known for his bold, black-and-white abstract paintings
• Robert Motherwell, who explored themes of politics, philosophy, and literature in his abstract works
• Barnett Newman, recognized for his "zip" paintings featuring vertical lines on large, monochromatic canvases
• Clyfford Still, an influential figure in the development of color field painting, known for his jagged, abstract compositions

Techniques of Jackson Pollock's Drip Paintings

Innovative Drip Technique

• Pollock's innovative "drip" technique involved placing the canvas on the floor and pouring, dripping, or splattering paint onto the surface using various tools (sticks, brushes, turkey basters)
• By moving around the canvas and manipulating the flow of paint, Pollock created complex, layered compositions with intricate webs of color and line, often resulting in large-scale, immersive works
• Pollock's approach to painting emphasized the physical act of creation, with the artist's movements and gestures becoming an integral part of the final composition

Spontaneity and Improvisation

• The drip paintings showcased Pollock's interest in the spontaneous and improvisational nature of the creative process
• Pollock rejected traditional notions of composition and representation in art, focusing instead on the expressive potential of the painting process itself
• The resulting works were characterized by a sense of energy, dynamism, and emotional intensity, reflecting the artist's inner state and the immediacy of the creative act

Influence of the New York School on American Art

Shift in the Art World

• The New York School and the Abstract Expressionist movement marked a shift in the center of the art world from Paris to New York City in the years following World War II
• Pollock and his contemporaries helped to establish American art as a major force on the international stage, challenging the dominance of European modernism and asserting the vitality and originality of American cultural production

Impact on Subsequent Art Movements

• The emphasis on individual expression, spontaneity, and the exploration of the subconscious in Abstract Expressionism had a profound impact on subsequent generations of American artists
• Artists continued to push the boundaries of abstraction and experimentation in their work, leading to the emergence of new art movements (Pop Art, Minimalism) in the 1960s and beyond
• The legacy of the New York School can be seen in the continued prominence of New York City as a global art center and in the enduring influence of Abstract Expressionist techniques and ideas on contemporary art practice

Critical and Commercial Success

• The critical and commercial success of Pollock and other New York School artists helped to legitimize abstract art in the eyes of the American public
• The recognition of Abstract Expressionism as a significant artistic movement paved the way for greater acceptance and appreciation of avant-garde and experimental art forms in the United States
• The New York School's success also contributed to the growth of the American art market and the rise of New York City as a hub for the international art trade

Reception and Controversy of Pollock's Work

Initial Criticism and Skepticism

• Pollock's unconventional approach to painting initially met with skepticism and criticism from some quarters of the art world
• Critics questioned the validity and skill involved in his drip technique, dismissing his work as chaotic, uncontrolled, and lacking in artistic merit
• Some commentators argued that Pollock's paintings were merely a passing fad driven by hype and self-promotion rather than genuine artistic innovation

Debates on the Nature of Abstract Art

• The critical debate surrounding Pollock and the New York School often centered on the question of whether their work represented a genuine advancement in the history of art or merely a departure from traditional artistic values
• Supporters of Pollock and the Abstract Expressionists argued that their work represented a new form of artistic expression that challenged conventional notions of beauty, skill, and meaning in art
• Detractors, on the other hand, saw the New York School as a symptom of the perceived decline of artistic standards and the rise of a cult of personality in the art world

Growing Recognition and Legacy

• Despite these controversies, Pollock's reputation as a major figure in 20th-century art has only grown over time
• His drip paintings are now widely recognized as groundbreaking works that redefined the possibilities of abstract art and had a lasting impact on the course of American art history
• The ongoing critical and scholarly interest in Pollock and the New York School reflects the enduring significance of their contributions to the history of American art and their continued relevance to contemporary artistic practice