♀️Feminist Art History Unit 6 – Abstract Expressionism and Gender in Art

Historical Context

• Abstract Expressionism emerged in the United States following World War II (1940s-1950s)
• Developed in New York City, became a major art movement that gained international recognition
• Influenced by European avant-garde movements such as Surrealism and Expressionism
  • Surrealism explored the subconscious mind and automatism in art-making
  • Expressionism emphasized emotional intensity and subjective experience
• Reflected the post-war zeitgeist characterized by existentialism, individualism, and psychological introspection
• Coincided with the rise of American cultural dominance and the Cold War era
• Supported by influential art critics (Clement Greenberg) who championed the movement's formal innovations
• Challenged traditional notions of art-making, emphasizing spontaneity, gesture, and the creative process itself

Key Artists and Their Works

• Jackson Pollock (1912-1956)
  • Known for his drip paintings (Number 1, 1948)
  • Pioneered the "action painting" technique, placing canvas on the floor and applying paint with unconventional tools
• Willem de Kooning (1904-1997)
  • Painted highly expressive, gestural works (Woman I, 1950-1952)
  • Blurred the line between figuration and abstraction, often depicting distorted female figures
• Lee Krasner (1908-1984)
  • Created large-scale, rhythmic compositions (The Seasons, 1957)
  • Incorporated collage elements and explored the interplay of color and form
• Mark Rothko (1903-1970)
  • Developed a signature style of color field painting (No. 61 (Rust and Blue), 1953)
  • Used large, simplified color planes to evoke emotional and spiritual experiences
• Helen Frankenthaler (1928-2011)
  • Pioneered the "soak-stain" technique, pouring thinned paint onto unprimed canvas (Mountains and Sea, 1952)
  • Influenced the development of Color Field painting
• Elaine de Kooning (1918-1989)
  • Painted dynamic, gestural portraits and abstractions (Fairfield Porter #1, 1954)
  • Contributed to the intellectual discourse surrounding Abstract Expressionism

Techniques and Styles

• Action painting involved spontaneous, energetic brushstrokes and dripping or splattering paint onto the canvas
  • Emphasized the physical act of painting and the artist's bodily movements
• Color field painting focused on large areas of flat, solid color that evoked emotional responses
  • Explored the expressive potential of color and its ability to create immersive experiences
• Gestural abstraction emphasized the expressive qualities of brushstrokes, lines, and marks
  • Conveyed a sense of movement, energy, and emotion through the artist's gestures
• Improvisation and spontaneity were central to the Abstract Expressionist approach
  • Artists often worked without preconceived plans, allowing the painting to evolve organically
• Large-scale canvases were common, engulfing the viewer and creating an immersive experience
• Unconventional materials and tools (sticks, trowels, knives) were used to apply paint, moving beyond traditional brushes
• Rejection of representational imagery in favor of non-objective, abstract forms and compositions

Gender Representation and Themes

• Abstract Expressionism was dominated by male artists, with women often marginalized or overlooked
  • Prevailing gender roles and biases in the art world contributed to this imbalance
• Women artists (Lee Krasner, Elaine de Kooning, Helen Frankenthaler) made significant contributions to the movement
  • Challenged gender stereotypes and asserted their artistic agency
• Themes of masculinity, heroism, and the "tortured artist" were prevalent in the critical discourse surrounding male Abstract Expressionists
  • Reinforced gendered notions of artistic genius and creativity
• Women artists' works were often interpreted through the lens of their gender and personal relationships
  • Their artistic achievements were overshadowed by their roles as wives or partners of famous male artists
• Abstract Expressionism's emphasis on individuality and personal expression provided opportunities for women to explore their own experiences and perspectives
• Some women artists subverted traditional gender roles and expectations through their art-making practices and subject matter
  • Elaine de Kooning's portraits of men challenged the male gaze and traditional power dynamics

Critical Analysis and Interpretation

• Abstract Expressionism has been interpreted as a reflection of post-war American society and the rise of individualism
  • Seen as a manifestation of the "American Dream" and the pursuit of personal freedom
• Critics (Clement Greenberg) championed Abstract Expressionism as a purely formalist movement, emphasizing the flatness of the picture plane and the autonomy of the artwork
  • This formalist interpretation downplayed the social, political, and gendered aspects of the movement
• Feminist art historians have re-examined Abstract Expressionism through a gender-critical lens
  • Highlighted the contributions and experiences of women artists
  • Challenged the masculine rhetoric and gendered power structures within the art world
• Psychoanalytic interpretations have explored the role of the subconscious, trauma, and personal experiences in shaping Abstract Expressionist works
• The movement has been critiqued for its alleged complicity with Cold War cultural politics and American imperialism
  • Some argue that Abstract Expressionism was promoted as a symbol of American freedom and individualism in opposition to Soviet collectivism
• Debates surrounding the role of intention, meaning, and viewer interpretation in Abstract Expressionist works continue to inform art historical discourse

Influence on Contemporary Art

• Abstract Expressionism had a profound impact on subsequent art movements and practices
  • Influenced the development of Neo-Expressionism, Lyrical Abstraction, and Post-Painterly Abstraction
• The emphasis on spontaneity, gesture, and the creative process laid the groundwork for Performance Art and Happenings
• The large-scale, immersive nature of Abstract Expressionist works influenced Installation Art and environmental art practices
• The movement's focus on the autonomy of the artwork and the rejection of representation paved the way for Minimalism and Conceptual Art
• Contemporary artists continue to engage with the legacy of Abstract Expressionism
  • Reinterpreting its techniques, themes, and ideologies through new media and perspectives
• The work of women Abstract Expressionists has gained increased recognition and scholarly attention in recent decades
  • Exhibitions and publications have sought to rectify the historical marginalization of these artists
• The influence of Abstract Expressionism extends beyond the visual arts, informing fields such as literature, music, and film

Debates and Controversies

• The gendered nature of Abstract Expressionism and the marginalization of women artists within the movement
  • Feminist critiques have challenged the masculine rhetoric and gendered power dynamics of the art world
• The alleged complicity of Abstract Expressionism with Cold War cultural politics and American imperialism
  • Some argue that the movement was instrumentalized as a tool of soft power and cultural diplomacy
• The formalist interpretation of Abstract Expressionism, which emphasized the autonomy of the artwork and downplayed social and political contexts
  • Critics argue that this approach neglects the broader cultural and historical significance of the movement
• The cult of personality surrounding male Abstract Expressionists and the mythologizing of the "tortured artist" archetype
  • This narrative has been criticized for reinforcing gendered stereotypes and overshadowing the contributions of women artists
• The appropriation and commodification of Abstract Expressionist works by the art market and popular culture
  • Raises questions about the relationship between art, commerce, and cultural value
• Debates surrounding the role of intention, meaning, and viewer interpretation in Abstract Expressionist works
  • The "death of the author" and the "intentional fallacy" have been invoked in discussions of the movement
• The legacy of Abstract Expressionism and its relevance to contemporary art practices and discourses
  • Artists and scholars continue to grapple with the movement's impact and implications

Further Reading and Resources

• "Abstract Expressionism" by David Anfam (1990)
  • Comprehensive overview of the movement, its key artists, and historical context
• "Women of Abstract Expressionism" edited by Joan Marter (2016)
  • Scholarly essays and artist biographies highlighting the contributions of women Abstract Expressionists
• "Abstract Expressionism and the Politics of Criticism" by Serge Guilbaut (1983)
  • Examines the relationship between Abstract Expressionism and Cold War cultural politics
• "The Gendering of Abstract Expressionism" by Ann Eden Gibson (1997)
  • Feminist analysis of the gendered power dynamics and critical reception of the movement
• "Abstract Expressionism: Other Politics" by Ann Eden Gibson (1997)
  • Explores the social, political, and cultural contexts that shaped Abstract Expressionism
• "Ninth Street Women: Lee Krasner, Elaine de Kooning, Grace Hartigan, Joan Mitchell, and Helen Frankenthaler: Five Painters and the Movement That Changed Modern Art" by Mary Gabriel (2018)
  • Biographical accounts of five prominent women Abstract Expressionists and their contributions to the movement
• Museum collections with significant holdings of Abstract Expressionist works
  • The Museum of Modern Art (New York)
  • The Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York)
  • The Whitney Museum of American Art (New York)
  • The National Gallery of Art (Washington, D.C.)
  • Tate Modern (London)