Willem de Kooning was a Dutch-American artist who became one of the most prominent and celebrated artists in the Abstract Expressionism movement. He was known for his 'Woman' series and his aggressive brushwork.
Think of de Kooning as a chef who isn't afraid to mix contrasting flavors together - sweet with salty, sour with spicy. His paintings often combined harsh, clashing colors and aggressive brushstrokes that somehow worked together to create something unique and impactful.
Abstract Expressionism: An art movement that emerged post-WWII characterized by abstract artwork expressing emotions through non-traditional means such as gestural brushstrokes, color fields, and spontaneous drips.
Action Painting: A style within the Abstract Expressionist movement where paint is spontaneously dribbled, splashed or smeared onto the canvas, rather than being carefully applied. De Kooning's work often falls under this category.
Franz Kline: An American painter associated with the Abstract Expressionist movement of the 1940s and 1950s. Like de Kooning, he used bold strokes and high-contrast colors.
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