Description:
(Dutch-Born American Abstract Expressionist Artist)
Willem de Kooning was a Dutch-born American painter who is touted as a pioneer of the 'Abstract Expressionism' movement, more commonly known as the “action painting” genre. His painting style was an amalgamation of Cubism, Surrealism, and Expressionism. He was known to paint mostly figures, especially women, and abstractions. He believed his real subjects were always space and the figure-ground perception. He was also a renowned sculptor and he created the ‘Clamdigger’ and ‘Seated Woman on a Bench.’ Most of his peers in New York called him an “artist’s artist”. He became a household name in the world of art and painting after he had his first one-man exhibition at the Charles Egan Gallery. Apart from painting, he also briefly taught at Black Mountain College in North Carolina and later at the Yale School of Art. In the later stage of his artistic career, he moved to landscape painting and created abstract urban landscapes, abstract parkway landscapes, and abstract pastoral landscapes. Kooning is considered one of the finest artists of the 20th century and his influence on painters, especially those who enjoy gestural styles, remains significant even to this day.
Birthday
April 24, 1904 (Taurus)
Born In
Netherlands
City
Rotterdam, Netherlands
Died on
March 19, 1997
Spouse/Ex-
Elaine de Kooning (m. 1943–1989)
Parents
Leendert de Kooning
Cornelia Nobel
Children
Lisa de Kooning
What is Willem de Kooning known for?
Willem de Kooning is known for being a prominent Dutch-American abstract expressionist artist.
What influenced Willem de Kooning's artwork?
Various influences shaped Willem de Kooning's artwork, including Cubism, Surrealism, and the works of artists like Picasso and Gorky.
How did Willem de Kooning's style evolve over time?
Willem de Kooning's style evolved from figurative to abstract expressionism, characterized by gestural brushwork and vibrant colors.
What is significant about Willem de Kooning's "Woman" series?
Willem de Kooning's "Woman" series is significant for its exploration of the female form and challenging traditional representations of women in art.
How did Willem de Kooning contribute to the development of abstract expressionism?
Willem de Kooning played a key role in the development of abstract expressionism through his innovative use of paint, expressive brushwork, and exploration of the human figure in abstract forms.