Lee Krasner was a prominent American abstract expressionist painter, known for her bold and expressive works that explored the possibilities of color and form. Born on October 27, 1908, in Brooklyn, New York, Krasner's artistic career spanned over four decades, during which she played a significant role in shaping the art world of the mid-twentieth century.
Early Life and Education
Krasner was born to Russian-Jewish immigrant parents, who fled to the United States to escape anti-Semitism and the Russo-Japanese War. She was the youngest of six children, and the only one born in the United States. From an early age, Krasner knew she wanted to pursue art as a career. She attended Washington Irving High School for Girls, which offered an art major, and later enrolled at the Women's Art School of Cooper Union on a scholarship. Krasner also pursued further art education at the
National Academy of Design in 1928, completing her course load there in 1932.
Artistic Career
Krasner's exposure to Post-Impressionism at the newly opened
Museum of Modern Art in 1929 led to a sustained interest in modern art. In 1937, she enrolled in classes taught by
Hans Hofmann, which led her to integrate influences of Cubism into her paintings. During the Great Depression, Krasner joined the Works Progress Administration's Federal Art Project, transitioning to war propaganda artworks during the War Services era. By the 1940s, Krasner was an established figure among the American abstract artists of the New York School, with a network including painters such as
Willem de Kooning and
Mark Rothko.
Some of her notable works include Imperative,
Desert Moon, and Palingenesis. These paintings showcase her unique style, which was characterized by bold brushstrokes, vibrant colors, and a sense of spontaneity. Krasner's work can be found in the collections of several museums, including the
Pollock-Krasner House and Study Center and the
Museum of Modern Art.
Awards and Recognition
Krasner received numerous honorary degrees, including an Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts from
Stony Brook University. Following her death in 1984, critic Robert Hughes described her as "the Mother Courage of Abstract Expressionism" and a posthumous retrospective exhibition of her work was held at the
Museum of Modern Art in New York City.
Lee Krasner's legacy as a pioneering abstract expressionist painter continues to inspire artists and art lovers today. Her bold and expressive works, which explored the possibilities of color and form, have left an indelible mark on the art world. For more information on her life and work, visit
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Krasner.