Abstract Expressionism

Willem de Kooning: Depictions of Women in Art

MoMA Abstract Expressionism Theme

Questions

Why might an artist choose to paint abstractly instead of representationally—depicting figures, shapes, objects, or scenes?

What kinds of choices do artists make when painting?

MoMA Abstract Expressionism Theme

Take a close look at Woman I by Willem de Kooning…

How would you describe this work to another person?

What do you notice about the application of paint and brushwork? The colors? The background?

If you were to recreate the physical gestures de Kooning made as he painted Woman, I, what would they look like?

Willem de Kooning. Woman, I. 1950-52

MoMA Abstract Expressionism Theme

LEFT TO RIGHT:Venus von Willendorf paleolithic sculpture, image protected under Creative Commons by Oke; Willem de Kooning. Woman, I. 1950-52; Pinup Girl image protected under Creative Commons by Tor Kristensen

MoMA Abstract Expressionism Theme

How is Woman I different from these other representations of women? How is it similar?

• How are these paintings similar?

• How are they different?

Let’s compare Woman, I to Lee Krasner’s Gaea…

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Willem de Kooning. Woman, I. 1950-52

Lee Krasner. Gaea. 1966.

What words would you use to describe this image?

Anselm Feuerbach, 1875 image licensed under Creative Commons

MoMA Abstract Expressionism Theme

Let’s take a closer look…

Do you see any lines, forms or gestures that evoke a sense of the movement or shifting forms?

MoMA Abstract Expressionism Theme

Anselm Feuerbach, 1875 image licensed under Creative Commons

Lee Krasner. Gaea. 1966.