What is abstract expressionism in painting?

Abstract Expressionism is a significant artistic movement that emerged in the United States in the late 1940s and flourished throughout the 1950s. Here are the key characteristics and elements of this movement:

Definition and Historical Context

Abstract Expressionism is characterized by its focus on abstraction as a means to express and elicit emotions through artistic works. This movement arose in the post-World War II era, primarily among American painters based in New York, known as the New York School235.

Key Characteristics

Abstraction and Non-Objectivity

Abstract Expressionist paintings often lack realistic images of objects or figures, instead using shapes, colors, and lines to create the composition. This non-objective approach allowed artists to express emotions and ideas without the interference of recognizable imagery35.

Scale and Immersion

Many artists created large-scale works to immerse the viewer in the artwork, drawing the viewer's focus into the painting and creating a total experience3.

All-Over Composition

The entire surface of the canvas was often activated, with no single focal point. This "all-over" approach directed the viewer's eyes to move around the canvas, engaging with the colors, brushstrokes, and techniques used by the artist34.

Movement and Gesture

The artworks often convey a sense of movement, either through the physical gestures of the artist during the painting process or through the implied movement in the finished work. Techniques such as dripping, splattering, and using broad brushstrokes were common235.

Techniques

Abstract Expressionists employed a variety of techniques, including gestural abstraction and color field painting. Gestural abstraction involved physically spontaneous techniques like dripping and splattering paint, as seen in the works of Jackson Pollock. Color field painting, exemplified by Mark Rothko, focused on large areas of flat color to evoke emotions125.

Types of Abstract Expressionism

Action Painting

Characterized by a loose, rapid, and dynamic handling of paint, action painting involved techniques such as dripping, spilling, or using vigorous brushstrokes. Artists like Pollock and Willem de Kooning were prominent in this style245.

Color Field Painting

This style emphasized large areas of flat color to achieve quiet, subtle, and often meditative effects. Artists like Rothko, Barnett Newman, and Ad Reinhardt used thin, diaphanous paint to create shimmering and resonating color fields24.

Influences and Impact

Abstract Expressionism was influenced by various artistic and philosophical movements, including German Expressionism, Surrealism, and the ideas of Carl Jung and existentialist philosophers. The movement marked a significant shift in the art world, establishing New York City as the center of modern painting and influencing subsequent art movements such as Pop Art, Minimalism, and Neo-expressionism245.

Personal Expression and Philosophy

At its core, Abstract Expressionism was about expressing the artist's inner life and emotions through their technique and materials. The movement valued spontaneity, personal expression, and the exploration of the unconscious and spiritual themes345.