9.1 Abstract Expressionism: Action Painting and Color Field
2 min read•july 18, 2024
Abstract Expressionism revolutionized painting in the mid-20th century. It broke free from traditional techniques, embracing and . Artists like and became icons of this movement, pushing the boundaries of artistic expression.
and emerged as two distinct approaches within Abstract Expressionism. These styles focused on the physical act of painting and the , respectively, reshaping the art world and influencing generations of artists to come.
Action Painting
Characteristics of Action Painting
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Emphasizes the physical act of painting involves spontaneous, energetic brushwork and gestural, expressive marks
Employs unconventional techniques such as dripping and splattering paint onto the canvas, pouring and flicking paint, and using sticks, trowels, and other tools instead of traditional brushes
Embraces chance and accident in the creative process by allowing paint to drip and flow freely and incorporating unintentional marks and splatters
Utilizes encourages physical engagement with the painting surface and allows for expansive, immersive compositions
Major Abstract Expressionist artists
Jackson Pollock (1912-1956) pioneered the technique and created famous works such as "Number 1 ()" (1950) and " (Number 30)" (1950)
Willem de Kooning (1904-1997) known for his energetic, in notable works like "" (1950-1952) and "" (1950)
Color Field Painting
Techniques in Color Field painting
Uses large, monumental canvases that engulf the viewer's field of vision and create immersive, meditative experiences
Features expansive fields of color with flat, uniform application of paint and minimal variation in texture or brushwork
Emphasizes the emotional and psychological impact of color by evoking specific moods and feelings through color relationships and exploring the interplay of adjacent colors
Reduces form and eliminates figurative elements to focus on the pure, abstract qualities of color and shape and encourage contemplation and introspection
Major Abstract Expressionist artists
Mark Rothko (1903-1970) known for his large, rectangular canvases with soft-edged, rectangular forms in famous works such as "No. 61 ()" (1953) and the (1958-1959)
Impact of Abstract Expressionism
Shifted the center of the art world from Paris to due to cultural and economic factors and the influx of European artists to the United States
Gained international recognition and influence through exhibitions and critical acclaim in Europe and beyond, inspiring subsequent generations of artists
Emphasized individual expression and innovation by rejecting traditional artistic conventions and celebrating the artist's subjective experience and creative process
Contributed to the development of modern and contemporary art by paving the way for future abstract and non-representational art movements and challenging established notions of what constitutes art