Glossary

11.1 Action painting and color field painting

5 min read•july 30, 2024

Abstract Expressionism split into two main styles: and . Action painting, led by , focused on the physical act of painting, creating complex, layered works. Color Field painting, associated with , used large areas of flat color for emotional impact.

Both styles rejected traditional representation, but differed in approach. Action painters worked on unstretched canvases, emphasizing process and gesture. Color Field painters aimed for minimalist, meditative compositions, exploring the power of color to convey meaning and evoke profound viewer experiences.

Action Painting vs Color Field Painting

Techniques and Characteristics

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  • Action painting emphasizes physical act of painting and gestural application of paint to canvas pioneered by Jackson Pollock
  • Color field painting focuses on large areas of flat color to evoke emotional responses associated with Mark Rothko and
  • Action painting results in complex, layered compositions with visible brushstrokes and drips
  • Color field painting features minimalist, meditative compositions
  • Action painters work on unstretched canvases laid on floor allowing 360-degree access
  • Color field painters generally work on upright, traditionally mounted canvases

Philosophical Approaches

  • Action painting philosophy emphasizes artist's physical and emotional involvement in creative process viewing canvas as arena for action
  • Color field painting philosophy centers on power of color itself to convey meaning and elicit profound viewer experiences often exploring concepts of
  • Both techniques reject representational art
  • Action painting emphasizes process and gesture
  • Color field painting focuses on viewer's perceptual experience

Examples and Artists

  • Jackson Pollock (action painting): "Lavender Mist" (1950) showcases and all-over composition
  • (action painting): "Woman I" (1950-52) combines with figurative elements
  • Mark Rothko (color field): "Orange and Yellow" (1956) exemplifies use of large color blocks to create contemplative atmosphere
  • Barnett Newman (color field): "Vir Heroicus Sublimis" (1950-51) uses vertical "zips" to divide color fields

Spontaneity in Abstract Expressionism

Role of Improvisation and Subconscious

  • Spontaneity viewed as means to access authentic artistic expression free from preconceived notions or academic constraints
  • Improvisation techniques (, gestural painting) allow artists to tap into subconscious and create without conscious planning
  • Influence of Freudian and Jungian psychoanalysis led abstract expressionists to value subconscious as source of creativity and universal truths
  • Concept of "action painting" coined by Harold Rosenberg emphasizes canvas as space for spontaneous event rather than preconceived image

Artistic Techniques and Approaches

  • Willem de Kooning embraced spontaneity through rapid, intuitive brushwork allowing forms to emerge and evolve during painting process
  • Helen Frankenthaler used spontaneous pouring techniques to create large, unpremeditated color forms evoking emotional responses
  • Franz Kline employed rapid, gestural brushstrokes to create dynamic black-and-white compositions (New York, NY, 1953)
  • Robert Motherwell's "Elegy to the Spanish Republic" series combined spontaneous gestures with repeated motifs

Philosophical and Theoretical Foundations

  • Valorization of spontaneity and subconscious seen as way to achieve more direct and truthful form of artistic communication
  • Emphasis on and present moment in creative process influenced by existentialist philosophy
  • Rejection of traditional artistic planning and preliminary sketches in favor of direct engagement with materials
  • Belief in universal language of form and gesture accessible through spontaneous creation

Scale and Materials in Abstract Expressionism

Significance of Large-Scale Works

  • Large scale of many abstract expressionist works often referred to as "heroic" intended to create immersive viewing experience and convey sense of sublime
  • Use of large canvases allowed for greater physical engagement with painting process emphasizing artist's bodily movements and gestures
  • Scale of color field paintings designed to envelop viewer creating meditative and often spiritual viewing experience
  • Examples: Jackson Pollock's "Blue Poles" (1952) at 16 feet wide, Mark Rothko's Seagram Murals (1958-59) designed for specific architectural space

Unconventional Materials and Techniques

  • Unconventional materials (house paint, industrial enamels) employed to achieve new textures and effects not possible with traditional oil paints
  • Jackson Pollock's use of non-traditional tools (sticks, basting syringes) expanded possibilities of mark-making and paint application
  • Helen Frankenthaler's soak-stain method allowed for new relationships between paint and canvas influencing subsequent movements like Color Field painting
  • Willem de Kooning's incorporation of newspaper transfers and mixed media in paintings (Woman II, 1952) expanded material vocabulary of abstract expressionism

Impact on Artistic Practice and Perception

  • Combination of large scale and unconventional materials challenged traditional notions of easel painting
  • Pushed boundaries of what could be considered fine art influencing installation art and environmental art movements
  • Emphasized physical presence of artwork and its relationship to viewer's body
  • Shifted focus from representation to materiality and process of painting itself

Surrealism's Influence on Abstract Expressionism

Theoretical and Conceptual Connections

  • Surrealism's emphasis on accessing unconscious mind through automatic writing and drawing directly influenced abstract expressionist techniques
  • Concept of developed by André Breton provided theoretical foundation for spontaneous creation in abstract expressionism
  • Surrealist interest in myth and primitive art resonated with abstract expressionists who sought to express universal themes and archetypes in their work
  • Rejection of rational control in creative process central to surrealism became key principle in abstract expressionist philosophy and practice

Artistic Techniques and Adaptations

  • Surrealist techniques (automatic drawing, frottage) adapted and expanded upon by abstract expressionists to create compositions
  • While surrealism often retained figurative elements abstract expressionism pushed further into non-objectivity while maintaining emphasis on spontaneity and subconscious
  • Arshile Gorky's biomorphic forms in "The Liver is the Cock's Comb" (1944) bridge surrealism and abstract expressionism
  • Robert Motherwell's "Automatic Writing" series (1965-66) directly references surrealist techniques in abstract context

Historical and Personal Connections

  • Many abstract expressionists (Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning) initially influenced by surrealist artists who emigrated to United States during World War II
  • Roberto Matta's workshops in New York introduced many future abstract expressionists to surrealist ideas and techniques
  • André Masson's sand paintings influenced Jackson Pollock's drip technique
  • Max Ernst's experiments with texture and unconventional materials echoed in abstract expressionist explorations of materiality

Key Terms to Review (22)

Action Painting: Action painting is a style of abstract expressionism that emphasizes the physical act of painting as an essential part of the artwork itself. This technique focuses on spontaneous, dynamic brush strokes and the emotional intensity of the artist's movements, creating a sense of movement and energy that reflects the artist's inner experience. Key figures like Pollock, de Kooning, and Rothko contributed significantly to this movement, showcasing how physicality in art could evoke deeper emotional responses and connect with the viewer in new ways.
Automatic drawing: Automatic drawing is a technique used by artists to create spontaneous and unplanned images, allowing the subconscious mind to dictate the flow of lines and forms. This practice aims to bypass conscious control, encouraging the artist to tap into their inner thoughts and feelings. It is a key method in Surrealist art, influencing other movements by focusing on the expressive potential of automatic processes.
Barnett Newman: Barnett Newman was an influential American artist known for his role in the development of Color Field painting and his contributions to Abstract Expressionism. He is celebrated for his use of large-scale canvases and fields of color, which often feature vertical lines he referred to as 'zips.' His work emphasizes the emotional and spiritual experience of color, aligning him closely with both Action painting and Color Field painting movements.
Color Field Painting: Color field painting is an abstract art movement that emerged in the mid-20th century, characterized by large expanses of color applied to the canvas, emphasizing the flatness and two-dimensionality of the surface. This style focuses on the emotional resonance and sensory experience of color itself, often minimizing brushwork or any representational imagery to create an immersive visual experience.
Color saturation: Color saturation refers to the intensity or purity of a color, describing how vivid or dull it appears. Highly saturated colors are bright and rich, while less saturated colors appear more muted or pastel. In the realm of art, especially in action painting and color field painting, color saturation plays a crucial role in conveying emotions and creating visual impact, often influencing the viewer's perception and experience.
Drip technique: The drip technique is a painting method that involves dripping or pouring paint onto a canvas, allowing the medium to create spontaneous, fluid forms and patterns. This approach emphasizes the physical act of painting and the movement of the artist, making it a key component of action painting. It highlights the dynamic relationship between the artist and the canvas, often resulting in expressive and energetic compositions.
Existentialism: Existentialism is a philosophical movement that emphasizes individual existence, freedom, and choice, often grappling with the meaning of life in a seemingly indifferent universe. It connects to the broader modernist cultural shifts, questioning established norms and encouraging personal responsibility and authenticity amidst societal changes. This philosophy profoundly influences key modernist authors who explore existential themes in their works, utilizing innovative techniques like stream of consciousness to reflect inner thoughts and experiences. The artistic expressions of existentialism also manifest in movements such as action painting and color field painting, where spontaneity and individual expression take center stage, showcasing the emotional depth tied to human experience. Overall, existentialism continues to shape contemporary art and culture by challenging viewers to confront their own existence and the absurdity of life.
Formalism: Formalism is an approach in art and literature that emphasizes the form and structure of a work over its content or context. This perspective focuses on elements such as composition, color, line, and texture in visual arts, as well as style, syntax, and structure in literature. Formalism champions the idea that the intrinsic qualities of a piece are what give it value and meaning, promoting an appreciation for how a work is constructed rather than what it represents or conveys.
Gestural abstraction: Gestural abstraction is an art movement that emphasizes the physical act of painting and the expressive use of brushstrokes and color, often prioritizing the artist's gesture over representational forms. This approach allows the artist's emotions and spontaneity to manifest directly on the canvas, creating a dynamic relationship between the artwork and its viewer. It is closely tied to the concepts of action painting, where the act of creating becomes a vital component of the finished piece, as well as color field painting, which focuses on large areas of color to evoke emotion.
Immediacy: Immediacy refers to the quality of being direct and unmediated, creating an immediate connection between the artwork and the viewer's experience. This concept is essential in understanding how action painting and color field painting engage the audience, as these movements prioritize the physicality of the paint and the spontaneity of the artistic process, allowing viewers to experience the artwork in a visceral way.
Jackson Pollock: Jackson Pollock was an influential American painter known for his unique approach to abstract art, particularly through his development of drip painting. His technique and philosophy marked a shift in the art world, emphasizing spontaneity and the physical act of painting, which became central to Modernist principles and Abstract Expressionism.
Mark Rothko: Mark Rothko was an American painter known for his contributions to Abstract Expressionism, particularly through his signature style of color field painting. His works often feature large blocks of color that evoke emotional responses, emphasizing the experience of color itself rather than representational forms. Rothko's approach to art also reflects the broader cultural shifts in post-World War II America, making him a key figure alongside other artists like Pollock and de Kooning.
MoMA's 'The New American Painting': 'The New American Painting' was a groundbreaking exhibition held at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in 1958, showcasing the emergence of Abstract Expressionism and its key figures, particularly in the context of action painting and color field painting. This exhibition not only highlighted the innovative techniques of American artists but also played a crucial role in establishing the United States as a central hub for modern art, moving away from European dominance. By presenting these new artistic movements, MoMA helped to redefine the narrative of contemporary art and placed emphasis on the emotional intensity and spontaneity found within the work of these artists.
New York School: The New York School refers to a group of mid-20th century artists, poets, and musicians based in New York City who were influential in the development of Abstract Expressionism and other avant-garde movements. This collective is known for its innovative approaches to art-making, emphasizing spontaneity, emotion, and a deep connection to the urban environment. The New York School played a crucial role in defining the post-war American art scene, particularly through action painting and color field painting.
Non-representational: Non-representational art, also known as abstract art, does not attempt to depict an accurate representation of visual reality. Instead, it emphasizes elements like color, form, and line, allowing for personal interpretation and emotional expression. This style challenges traditional ideas of representation in art and focuses on the experience and perception of the viewer.
Post-world war ii art: Post-World War II art refers to the diverse range of artistic movements and styles that emerged in the aftermath of World War II, significantly influenced by the societal changes, political tensions, and technological advancements of the time. This period saw artists experimenting with new forms of expression and materials, leading to the rise of various movements such as Abstract Expressionism, which emphasized spontaneous creation, and Color Field painting, which focused on large areas of color to evoke emotional responses. These developments were shaped by the need to respond to the trauma of war and the search for new meaning in a rapidly changing world.
Psychic automatism: Psychic automatism refers to the process of allowing thoughts and actions to flow freely and spontaneously without conscious control, often used as a means to access the unconscious mind. This concept emphasizes the importance of instinctual expression and the release of repressed emotions, leading to the creation of art that reflects the true self. In various art movements, this idea became a foundational principle that influenced how artists approached their work, particularly in emphasizing raw emotional expression over traditional techniques.
Spatial ambiguity: Spatial ambiguity refers to the lack of a clear spatial relationship or depth within an artwork, creating a sense of uncertainty about the dimensions and perspectives presented. This characteristic is often utilized to challenge traditional notions of space, inviting viewers to question their perception and experience of the artwork. In this context, it plays a crucial role in expressing dynamic interactions between color and form, enhancing the emotional and psychological impact of the artwork.
Stain technique: The stain technique is an artistic method where thin layers of paint or colored medium are applied to a canvas, creating a translucent and fluid effect. This approach allows the underlying canvas or surface to show through, resulting in vibrant colors and an immersive depth that characterizes many works in the Action painting and Color Field painting movements. The technique emphasizes the materiality of paint itself, often prioritizing color over form.
Sublime: The sublime refers to an aesthetic quality that evokes a sense of awe, wonder, and often terror in the viewer, characterized by vastness, grandeur, or beauty that transcends ordinary experience. This concept has been reinterpreted in art movements, where it emphasizes emotional intensity and the power of nature or abstraction, particularly in the context of modern art.
The Ninth Street Show: The Ninth Street Show was a landmark exhibition held in New York City in 1951 that showcased a group of abstract expressionist artists. This exhibition was crucial in bringing together various artists associated with both action painting and color field painting, highlighting their innovative approaches to creating art. It played a pivotal role in establishing the significance of these movements, promoting the idea that the act of painting itself could be as important as the final artwork.
Willem de Kooning: Willem de Kooning was a Dutch-American abstract expressionist painter, widely recognized for his dynamic and expressive style that merged abstraction with figuration. His work is characterized by energetic brushstrokes and a focus on the human form, making him a central figure in the development of post-World War II American art and significant to the evolution of movements like action painting and color field painting.
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