Abstract Expressionist Artist Willem de Kooning Christine Flaherty Mrs. Owens ENG 1105 8/4/11

1. Christine Flaherty ENG 1105

2. ABSTRACT EXPRESSIONISM After World War II, the style Abstract Expressionism developed in an attempt to attain worldwide influence and replace Paris with New York as the center of the art world. Numerous artists, such as Mark Rothko and Jackson Pollock, are credited with developing this style. However, Willem de Kooning is considered to be one of the most significant leaders of abstract expressionism.

3. 1921 intentional asymmetry indicates initial sense of style illustrates early concepts of depth illusion and modeling in light 1932 pole in the center reflects the only light in the image and stabilizes the composition, bringing the background shapes to interest

4. 1942 1943 was completed after over one hundred studies of the human shoulder palette of somber earth tones was inspired by the Boscoreale frescoes

5. 1948 1949 1949 abstractions offer intriguing geometric shapes, silhouettes, and shadows with X-ray quality uses black and white paint rather than applying black paint to white canvas

6. overwhelming amount of color with dramatic dynamism of vigorous, gestured brushwork people wondered if they were meant to be “abstract or figural” 1952 1954

7. Willem de Kooning died in Springs, New York on March 19, 1997. He contributed some of the most significant artwork in the Abstract Expressionist movement. Willem de Kooning will always be thought of as a pioneer of Abstract Expressionism.

8. WORKS CITED Gaugh, Harry. Willem de Kooning. New York: Cross River Press, 1983. Hess, Thomas. Willem de Kooning. New York: The Museum of Modern Art, 1968. “ Willem de Kooning.” Art Directory. n.d. Web. 17 October 2009. < http://www.willem-de-kooning.com/>. “ Works of Art.” Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. 2009. Web. 20 October 2009. < http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/ >.