Abstract Expressionism is a mid-20th century art movement characterized by the use of abstract, non-representational forms to express emotions, ideas, and personal experiences. The movement emerged in the 1940s and 1950s as a reaction to the dominant styles of the time, such as the representational and figurative forms favored by the German Expressionists. Abstract Expressionism is often seen as the first specifically American art movement, and it has had a lasting influence on the evolution of modern art.
Abstract Expressionism was a response to the devastation of World War II and the anxieties of the post-war era. Artists sought to express their innermost feelings and emotions through the use of abstract forms and techniques, such as gestural painting, automatism, and the use of non-traditional materials. Abstract Expressionist works often featured bold colors and intense gestural mark-making, as well as distorted figures and shapes. Artists such as Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, and Willem de Kooning are among the most well-known figures of the movement.
The impact of Abstract Expressionism has been far-reaching, and it is seen as a precursor to later art movements such as Pop Art and Minimalism. Its influence can be found in the works of many contemporary artists, and its legacy is still felt in the art world today.
References
Adams, C. (2012). Abstract Expressionism: The Basics. Routledge.
Baigell, M. (2000). A Concise History of American Painting and Sculpture. HarperCollins.
Cottingham, L. (2013). Abstract Expressionism. Oxford University Press.
Friedman, B. (2012). Abstract Expressionism: The Triumph of American Painting. Prestel.
Hughes, R. (2005). American Visions: The Epic History of Art in America. Knopf.