Willem de Kooning - Abstract Expressionism

Willem de Kooning
American, born Netherlands
1904 - 1997
Painting , 1948.
Enamel/oil on canvas.
Purchase (c) 2008
The Willem de Kooning
Foundation /Artists Rights
Society (ARS), New York

Woman, I. 1950 -52.
Oil on canvas.
Purchase (c) 2008 The
Willem de Kooning
Foundation /Artists
RightsSociety (ARS),
New York

Merrit Parkway. 1959
Oil /canvas. (c) 2005,
The Willem de Kooning
Foundation /Artists Rights
Society (ARS), New York
Bequest of
W. Hawkins Ferry
(1988.177)

Willem de Kooning is regarded as the leading
exponent of Abstract Expressionism, and significant
figure in twentieth-century painting. De Kooning's
creative journey, is shown in three courageous
examples of his work. De Kooning's black and white
painting above (painted in black enamel sign paint)
created in the same year of his first exhibition.
I understand De Kooning was lacking funds for canvas
and oil paints. He used house paint and brushes at the
start of his career. De Kooning transferred his early
figurative training to the canvas; as sections of
abstract human form are evident in this black and
white painting. De Kooning believed "even abstract
shapes must have a likeness." De Kooning's vigorous,
and brutal oil paint application, of Woman, I
(middle painting above) oil painting, leaves one to
speculate: is this an image of a powerful woman, and
fearless temptress, or the image of a woman assaulted,
by paint and brush. Personally I would not care to
live with this work of art. Merritt Parkway, 1959,
(third painting down) as shown above represents
De Koonings segue, to abstract landscapes,
prompted by, De Kooning's year round rural
residence on Long Island. De Koonings (1960-1980)
paintings now, have become a symphony of
expansive zones of color, choreographed with
impetuous. and knowing brushstrokes; a pas de deux.
His paintings now an expression, of joy
and fulfillment. ~ Art Diva of PaintingsToGo.com

"My interest in desperation lies only in that
sometimes I find myself having become desperate.
Very seldom do I start out that way. I can see of course
that, in the abstract, thinking and all activity is
rather desperate." ~ Willem de Kooning

"The trouble with being poor is that it takes up
all your time." ~ Willem de Kooning

"Whatever an artist's personal feelings are,
as soon as an artist fill a certain area on the canvas
or circumscribes it, he becomes historical. He
acts from or upon other artists." ~ Willem de Kooning