Willem de Kooning, a Dutch-American abstract expressionist artist, left an indelible mark on the art world with his innovative and expressive works. Born in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on April 24, 1904, de Kooning's artistic journey traversed from commercial art to becoming a leading figure in the New York School.

Early Life and Career

De Kooning's early life was marked by his parents' divorce in 1907. He attended the Academie van Beeldende Kunsten en Technische Wetenschappen (now Willem de Kooning Academie) until 1924, while working as an apprentice in a firm of commercial artists. In 1926, he traveled to the United States as a stowaway and eventually settled in Manhattan, supporting himself with jobs in carpentry, house-painting, and commercial art.

Artistic Evolution

De Kooning's artistic style evolved significantly over the years. His early work, influenced by Arshile Gorky, was characterized by surrealist imagery and a figurative approach. However, with his association with Franz Kline, de Kooning's work shifted towards more abstract and monochromatic expressions.

• Abstract Expressionism: De Kooning was a pivotal figure in the Abstract Expressionist movement, known for his bold and spontaneous works.
• New York School: He was part of a group of artists that came to be known as the New York School, which included notable figures like Jackson Pollock, Elaine de Kooning, and Mark Rothko.
• Notable Works:
  • Woman I (1950-1952), a seminal work in modern art, blending abstract expressionism with figuration.
  • The Glazier, part of a series of paintings of men created in the late 1930s and early 1940s, inspired by the Boscoreale frescoes at The Met.
  • Door to the River, characterized by wide brush strokes reminiscent of his early days as a house painter.

Legacy and Later Life

De Kooning became a US citizen in 1961 and moved to East Hampton, where he remained until his death on March 19, 1997. His legacy continues to inspire artists worldwide.

• Record-Breaking Sale: In September 2015, de Kooning's oil painting Interchange was sold for $300 million to hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin.
• Artistic Impact: De Kooning's influence on abstract expressionism and the New York School remains unparalleled.

View more of Willem de Kooning's works at WahooArt: [https://WahooArt.com/@@/8XZ6XY-Willem-De-Kooning-Composition](https://WahooArt.com/@@/8XZ6XY-Willem-De-Kooning-Composition) [Browse through the artist's biography and paintings on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willem_de_Kooning)

Early Life and Career

Willem de Kooning, a renowned Dutch-American abstract expressionist artist, was born on April 24, 1904, in Rotterdam, Netherlands. His parents, Leendert de Kooning and Cornelia Nobel, divorced in 1907, and de Kooning lived with his father before moving to his mother's care. He left school in 1916 and became an apprentice in a commercial art firm.

Artistic Development

De Kooning attended evening classes at the Academie van Beeldende Kunsten en Technische Wetenschappen (Academy of Fine Arts and Applied Sciences) in Rotterdam from 1916 to 1924. In 1927, he moved to New York City, where he worked as a house painter and began to develop his unique artistic style.

Abstract Expressionism

De Kooning's work shifted towards abstract expressionism in the late 1950s, characterized by bold brush strokes and vibrant colors. His painting Woman I (1950-1952) is a seminal work in this movement, blending figuration with spontaneity and emotional intensity.

Notable Works and Collections

* The Glazier (137 x 112 cm, Oil on Canvas): A somber earth-toned painting inspired by the Boscoreale frescoes. * Door to the River (Abstract Expressionism): A wide-brush-stroke painting reminiscent of his house painter background. * Standing Man (Abstract Expressionism): A characteristic example of de Kooning's abstract expressionist style.

Museums and Collections

* Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam, Netherlands: Features an impressive collection of over 151,000 artworks. * Universiteitsbibliotheek, Leiden, Netherlands: Houses a significant cultural center with over 5,200,000 volumes and 1,000,000 e-books.

• View Willem de Kooning's Standing Man on WahooArt
• Explore Willem de Kooning's Artworks on WahooArt
• Discover The Glazier by Willem de Kooning on WahooArt

Willem de Kooning's legacy continues to inspire artists and art enthusiasts alike, cementing his place as a pioneer of abstract expressionism.