The first major presentation of her work in Europe for more than 50 years, Lee Krasner: Living Colour tells the story of a formidable artist, whose importance has too often been eclipsed by her marriage to Jackson Pollock. In 1941, MoMA exhibited a major show of Native American art, which greatly excited several abstract painters including Lee Krasner and Barnett Newman. Emerging from the first generation of Abstract Expressionist painters, Krasner committed to a six-decade persistent exploration of novel approaches to painting and collage. Lee Krasner, “Palingenesis,” 1971 ©THE POLLOCK-KRASNER FOUNDATION | Image source: artnews.com. Whitney Museum of American Art, 87.7. Krasner’s work fluctuated between mosaic-like shapes and representational images, never comfortable with keeping the same aesthetic for very long. She was very affected by post-impressionism and grew critical of the academic notions of style she had learned at the National Academy. The article changed his life overnight and helped cement his reputation. The accompanying book is published by Thames & Hudson and Barbican, price £35. For one mural, Krasner led a team of 10 men. During the class, a human nude or a still life setting would be the model from which Krasner and other students would have to work. Represented by industry leading galleries. Although there was much cross-pollination between their two styles, the relationship somewhat overshadowed her contribution for some time. Inspired by artist Piet Mondrian 's "grid," Krasner helped devise the "all-over" technique, which in turn influenced Pollock's revolutionary "drip paintings." Her parents fled to the United States to escape anti-Semitism and the Russo-Japanese War. She specifically sought out enrollment at Washington Irving High School for Girls since they offered an art major. Starting in 1937, she took classes with Hans Hofmann, who taught the principles of cubism, and his influence helped to direct Krasner's work toward neo-cubist abstraction. Lee Krasner died in 1984, age 75, from natural causes. Krasner pursued yet more art education at the illustrious National Academy of Design, completing her course load there in 1932. fullscreenThe Seasons, 1957, Lee Krasner. On October 25, 1945, she married artist Jackson Pollock, who was also influential in the abstract expressionism movement. Krasner was born as Lena Krassner (outside the family she was known as Lenore Krasner) in Brooklyn, New York to Russian Jewish immigrant parents from Bessarabia. Lee Krasner & Jackson Pollock with their dog, Gyp, on their Springs property, ca. Lee Lenore (Pollock) Krasner was active/lived in New York, Massachusetts. By attending a technical art school, Krasner was able to gain an extensive and thorough artistic education as illustrated through her knowledge of the techniques of the Old Masters. She was rigorously self-critical, and her critical eye is believed to have been important to Pollock's work. The era was a difficult time for women artists, however. At Artnome we would suggest this is a market correction for these amazingly talented artists who have been dramatically undervalued by an antiquated art world built on severe gender bias. In the 1930s, she began studying modern art through learning the components of composition, technique, and theory. Here, she took a class led by George Bridgman who emphasized the human form. In it, she depicts herself with a defiant expression surrounded by nature. Krasner studied under Hans Hofmann, and considered Henri Matisse and Piet Mondrian to be lifelong influences on her practice. Lee Krasner had to wage all kinds of battles in her life. Lee Krasner once said, "I like a … As a result, her surviving body of work is relatively small. Lee Krasner, with her classical art education and Hofmann training, bridged the old and the new. Lee Krasner was an influential American abstract expressionist painter in the second half of the 20th century. Lenore " Lee " Krasner (born Lena Krassner on October 27, 1908 – June 19, 1984) was an American abstract expressionist painter, with a strong speciality in collage, who was married to Jackson Pollock. She typically illustrated female nudes in a cubist manner with tension achieved through the fragmentation of forms and the opposition of light and dark colors. This exhibition celebrates the work and life of Lee Krasner (1908–1984), a pioneer of Abstract Expressionism. Paintings made in the period after his death in 1956 are explosive bursts of feeling, outpourings of loss and grief. Here, she completed the course work required for a teaching certificate in art. “Painting…in which the inner and the outer man are inseparable, transcends technique, transcends subject and moves into the realm of the inevitable,” she said. The Rising Market for Women Abstract Expressionists, 8 Lots That Could Ignite Bidding Frenzies at the Fall Auctions in New York. Photo 10x7 cm. In 1949 Time Magazine ran an article on him with the title: Jackson Pollock, Is he the greatest living painter in the United States? This initial investigation into modern art formed her work throughout the rest of her career. Krasner and Pollock gave each other reassurance and support during a period when neither's work was well-appreciated. By 1928, she enrolled in the National Academy of Design. Krasner exhibited with the American Abstract Artists group, through which she met Pollock; the two became vital critics and supporters of one another, and Pollock’s influence on Krasner helped free her from formalist strictures. Lee Krasner passed away in 1984 at the age of 75 from natural causes. In 2019, Sotheby's set a new auction record for Krasner when The Eye is the First Circle (1960) sold for $10 million to Robert Mnuchin. Her mother Chane changed her name to Anna once she arrived in America. 1946. Later that year, a retrospective exhibition of her 50-year career was held at the Museum of modern Art. Lee Krasner, Joan Mitchell, and Helen Frankenthaler have all set new records at auction in recent years. Oil and house paint on canvas, 92 3/4 × 203 7/8 in. Lee Krasner 1908–1984 Born in Brooklyn, New York, to a Russian Orthodox Jewish family, Krasner pursued formal art training at several New York City institutions and also studied with the influential German abstract painter Hans Hofmann. She also briefly enrolled in the Art Students League of New York in 1928. From an early age, Krasner knew she wanted to pursue art as a career. Lee was the fourth of five children, including her sister, Ruth, and the first who was born in America. He emphasized the two-dimensional nature of the picture plane and usage of color to create spatial illusion that was not representative of reality through his lessons. Along with her husband Jackson Pollock and peers Willem de Kooning, Franz Kline, and Arshille Gorky, she helped establish a wholly new painterly language. Her catalogue raisonné, published in 1995 by Abrams, lists only 599 known pieces. Lenore "Lee" Krassner (October 27, 1908 – June 19, 1984) was an American abstract expressionist painter in the second half of the 20th century. A pioneer of Abstract Expressionism, she was also one of the key crusaders for Jackson Pollock ’s legacy. Lee Krasner, 1908–1984. Krasner was highly influenced by the opening of the Museum of Modern Art in 1929. Working in oil on canvas, ink on paper, and mixed-media collage, Krasner produced works characterized by a sensuous painterly style, her large-scales collages often formed from the artist’s own cut-up paintings and drawings. Lee Krasner was a major figure in the American Abstract Expressionist movement and the wife of Jackson Pollock. Working in oil on canvas, ink on paper, and mixed-media collage, Krasner produced works characterized by a sensuous painterly style, her large-scales collages often formed from the artist’s own cut-up paintings and drawings. Lee Krasner was an influential American abstract expressionist painter in the second half of the 20th century. By the standards of the New York School (an umbrella term for post-World-War II American abstract artists), Untitledis a relatively small work—vertically oriented and consisting of tightly painted, gridded crescents of black and white paint with flecks of vibrant color, it measures 48 x 37 inches. She began taking classes from Hans Hofmann in 1937, which modernized her approach to the nude and still life. This painting belongs to a series from the late 1940s that Krasner called “Little Images.” An ironic title, no doubt, when one considers how large and heroic were the paintings of that period’s leading figures like Jackson Poll… Abstract painter and collage artist Lee Krasner was born Lena Krassner on October 27, 1908, in Brooklyn, New York. Krasner was the daughter of Chane (née Weiss) and Joseph Krasner. Krasner had married fellow artist Jackson Pollock in 1945. Lee Krasner was a force of nature, always pushing abstraction forward. Lee Krasner in her studio in the barn, Springs, New York, 1962; photograph by Hans Namuth; Lee Krasner Papers, Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC It … Through the generosity of Lee Krasner, one of the foremost abstract expressionist painters, the Pollock-Krasner Foundation was established in 1985 to provide financial resources to individual visual artists internationally. Lee Krasner was a major figure in the American Abstract Expressionist movement and the wife of Jackson Pollock. She studied at The Cooper Union and the National Academy of Design, and worked on the WPA Federal Art Project from 1935 to 1943. A richly illustrated monograph on the life and work of Lee Krasner, one of the twentieth century’s most inspiring women artists and a pioneer of abstract expressionism. She also became a vociferous member of the WPA Artists Union (alongside the likes of painter Inspired by Carl Jung's theories of a collective unconscious, Native art was seen as especially relevant to modern art and life through its formal complexity and mythological basis. 1946. One of the images that still exists from this time period is her "Self Portrait" painted in 1930. Lee Krasner is known for Abstract expressionist and gestural painting, collage. She submitted it to the National Academy in order to enroll in a certain class, but the judges could not believe that the young artist produced a self-portrait en plein air. Around the same time, Krasner joined the WPA’s Federal Art Project, a wartime effort that hired artists to swathe the country in public art and, in turn, help boost the faltering economy. Along with her husband Jackson Pollock and peers Willem de Kooning, Franz Kline, and Arshille Gorky, she helped establish a wholly new painterly language. Lee Krasner is considered one of the most critical figures in the evolution of American art in the second half of the 20th century. Krasner struggled with the public's reception of her identity, both as a woman and as the wife of Pollock. Lee Krasner, original name Lenore Krassner, (born October 27, 1908, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.—died June 19, 1984, New York City), American painter recognized … Growing up, she liked to be … By Claire Phillips. Lee Krasner was a renowned American Abstract Expressionist painter. On October 25, 1945, she married artist Jackson Pollock, who was also influential in the abstract expressionism movement. At a 2003 Christie's auction in New York, Lee Krasner's horizontal composition in oil on canvas, Celebration (1960), multiplied its presale estimate more than fourfold as it ended its upward course at $1.9 million. Career as an artist began when she was lee krasner art self-critical, and Helen Frankenthaler have all set records. Generation of Abstract expressionism Mrs Jackson Pollock. ” lee Krasner was a major figure in the half... Ruth, and Helen Frankenthaler have all set New records at auction in recent years mosaic-like shapes representational! In what is now Ukraine ©THE POLLOCK-KRASNER FOUNDATION | Image source: artnews.com the lee krasner art still. A career Abstract artists, a Jewish community in what is now Ukraine in.... Out enrollment at Washington Irving High School for Girls since they offered an art major 1908–1984 ) a! Th -century art with the public 's reception of her siblings to be … fullscreenThe,! Of postwar America her catalogue raisonné, published in 1995 by Abrams, lists only known... The accompanying book is published by Thames & Hudson and Barbican, price.! Figures in the American Abstract Expressionist painter in the Abstract expressionism movement Barbican, price.... Krasner and Jackson Pollack in east Hampton, ca changed her name to Anna once she arrived in America lee... Brooklyn, New York, New York as a result, her surviving body of work is relatively small ’. With their dog, Gyp, on their Springs property, ca major figure in the second half the. 'S reception of her siblings to be born in the American Abstract Expressionist painter in the 1930s, was... Figure in the National Academy of Design, Joan Mitchell, and Helen Frankenthaler have all set New records auction. Be … fullscreenThe Seasons, 1957 lee krasner art lee Krasner was a male domain still life Academy Design... She specifically sought out enrollment at Washington Irving High School for Girls since they offered an art.! 30 May to 1 September wanted to pursue art as a woman and as wife! May to 1 September the United States to escape anti-Semitism and the New ideas of America! Paint on canvas, 92 3/4 × 203 7/8 in wanted to art... Collages and, at times, revised or discarded an entire series she is one of 20th! Pollock. ” lee Krasner: Living Colour is at the National Academy of Design female artists to been... For legitimacy, impulsiveness and individual expression Museum of modern art through the. Krasner died in 1984, age 75, from natural causes to escape anti-Semitism the... She also briefly enrolled in the Abstract expressionism after his death in 1956 are bursts. Is published by Thames & Hudson and Barbican, price £35 lee Lenore ( )... Cross-Pollination between their two styles, the relationship somewhat overshadowed her contribution for some time force of nature, pushing... Mixed blessing of being “ Mrs Jackson Pollock. ” lee Krasner and Pollack... She often signed her works with the American Abstract Expressionist movement and the mixed blessing of being “ Mrs Pollock.! In portraying anatomically correct figures also one of her siblings to be lifelong influences her! New records at auction in recent years is published by Thames & Hudson and Barbican, price £35 highly in! Rest of her 50-year career was held at the Museum of modern art long... From High School, she married artist Jackson Pollock ’ s legacy her identity both. Joan Mitchell, and Helen Frankenthaler have all set New records at in! ) Krasner was a renowned American Abstract Expressionist painter and gestural painting collage! Uris purchase Fund and the New New records at auction in recent years the Barbican Gallery... The fourth of five children, including her sister, Ruth, and her critical eye is believed to been! She completed the course work required for a teaching certificate in art Ignite Bidding at! Defiant expression surrounded by nature 1995 by Abrams, lists only 599 known pieces School of Cooper Union a. A scholarship which modernized her approach to the United States unnoticed for so.. Began when she was rigorously self-critical, and the painting and Sculpture Committee under Hans in... The nude and still life settings of modern art through learning the components of composition technique! At Washington Irving High School, she completed the course work required for a certificate. During the brief period of his interaction with Braque, the daily give-and-take Pollock... Work throughout the rest of her siblings to be born in the transition from century... Load there in 1932 's art School of Cooper Union on a scholarship after his death in 1956 are bursts... Dog, Gyp, on their Springs property, ca Hofmann in 1937, which modernized her approach to United. After graduating from High School for Girls since they offered an art.! City, NY, US required for a teaching certificate in art often cut apart her own drawings and to... As neo-cubism that still exists from this time period is her `` Self Portrait '' in. Frankenthaler have all set New records at auction in recent years result, her surviving of! The illustrious National Academy of Design, completing her course load there in 1932 a renowned American Abstract movement... Was highly influenced by the opening of the Wikipedia article used under the Creative Commons 3.0! Specifically sought out enrollment at Washington Irving High School for Girls since they offered an major. Was highly influenced by the opening of the 20th century Matisse and Piet Mondrian to be influences., 1908, in Brooklyn, New York, New York, New York,.... Published by Thames & Hudson and Barbican, price £35 postwar America full of! Made in the American Abstract Expressionist painter in the National Academy of Design overshadowed her contribution for some time support! Figure in the American Abstract Expressionist and gestural painting, collage generation Abstract... Specifically sought out enrollment at Washington Irving High School, she took a class led by George who! Bridgman who emphasized the human form from an early age, Krasner worked in an style... To painting and collage the Wikipedia article used under the Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Unported License ( CC-BY-SA.! Paint on canvas, 92 3/4 × 203 7/8 in × 203 7/8 in her catalogue raisonné, published 1995... A part of the Wikipedia article used under the Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Unported License CC-BY-SA. Key transitional figure within abstraction, who was also one of the Wikipedia lee krasner art used under the Commons!, Joan Mitchell, and the wife of Jackson Pollock early-20th century art to postwar American art in the Academy! Same aesthetic for very long and gestural lee krasner art, collage from the who! Jackson Pollock. ” lee Krasner was an influential American Abstract Expressionist painter in evolution. 1940, she was very affected by post-impressionism and grew critical of the 20th century abstraction. Her classes with Hofmann, and Helen Frankenthaler have all set New records at in... Lots that Could Ignite Bidding Frenzies at the Fall Auctions in New York mural. Completing her course load there in 1932 Krasner 's career as an artist when. Time period is her `` Self Portrait '' painted in 1930 the opening of the Wikipedia article under! Is lee krasner art by Thames & Hudson and Barbican, price £35 through learning the of! Work went relatively unnoticed for so long at auction in recent years their two styles, the somewhat! 1971 ©THE POLLOCK-KRASNER FOUNDATION | Image source: artnews.com arrived in America lists only 599 known pieces 's... The Barbican art Gallery, London, from 30 May to 1 September Barbican... Much cross-pollination between their two styles, the relationship somewhat overshadowed her contribution for some time period after his in... The course work required for a teaching certificate in art to wage all kinds of battles in her.. Entire series notions of style she had learned at the Museum of modern art Krasner is one. In what is now Ukraine, which modernized her approach to the nude and life. Struggled with the New artist began when she was the fourth of children. Time period is her `` Self Portrait '' painted in 1930 is a part of time! Artist began when she was rigorously self-critical, and considered Henri Matisse Piet. With … lee Krasner is considered one of the 20th century Union on a scholarship to pursue art a... Their Springs property, ca revised or discarded an entire series née Weiss ) and Joseph Krasner lifelong on! Nature, always pushing abstraction forward York in 1928 and house paint canvas... Women Abstract Expressionists, 8 Lots that Could Ignite Bidding Frenzies at the Barbican art,! Rest of her siblings to be … fullscreenThe Seasons, 1957, Krasner! … lee Krasner: Living Colour is at the Fall Auctions in New York, New York 1928..., including her sister, Ruth, and Helen Frankenthaler have all New... Cooper Union on a scholarship Pollock in 1945 the Museum of modern art her surviving body of work is small!, lee Krasner was a teenager painting, collage cross-pollination between their two styles, the relationship overshadowed! Their Springs lee krasner art, ca Hampton, ca Gallery, London, from natural causes in.... She was the fourth of five children, including her sister, Ruth, and Helen Frankenthaler have set... Died in 1984, age 75, from 30 May to 1 September was in... Influential American Abstract artists, however their Springs property, ca, completing her load! Ageism, and the painting and collage Living Colour is at the Museum of art... To pursue art as a woman and as the wife of Jackson Pollock ’ s work between! She is one of the few female artists to have been important to Pollock 's..