What is Abstract Expressionism?

Abstract expressionism was an art movement that redefined New York City as the epicenter of modern art after World War II, as many prominent European artists relocated there due to the war.

Abstract expressionism is an umbrella term encompassing diverse styles, with artists primarily unified by their shared location and post-WWII era. Influenced by German Expressionism and abstract movements like Surrealism, it emphasized stream-of-consciousness painting and the artist's subconscious, as seen in Jackson Pollock's action painting. The movement championed freedom from traditional forms and was driven by the emotional aftermath of the war and the ideologies of the Cold War era.

Beyond Pollock's action paintings, abstract expressionism also shows the influence of Cubism and introduced color field painting. This technique, notably used by Rothko, Hans Hoffman, Clifford Still, and Barnett Newman, focused on large expanses of color to create uniformity and evoke deep emotional responses, emphasizing aesthetic value over symbolism.

Artists like Rothko believed color field paintings could spiritually revive humanity, reflecting philosophical influences from figures like Friedrich Nietzsche and Jean-Paul Sartre. Abstract expressionists largely rejected figurative painting, viewing imitations of reality as inherently inadequate for conveying true feeling, thus seeking refuge in abstract forms during a period of post-war recovery.