Abstract Imagists

Abstract Imagists is a term derived from a 1961 exhibition in the Guggenheim Museum, New York called American Abstract Expressionists and Imagists. This exhibition was the first in the series of programs for the investigation of tendencies in American and European painting and sculpture.[1]

Style

It had been recognized that the paintings of Josef Albers, Barnett Newman, Mark Rothko, Adolph Gottlieb, Ad Reinhardt, Clyfford Still and Robert Motherwell were all very different yet the symbolic content was achieved "through dramatic statement of isolated and highly simplified elements."[2] In many cases the dramatic simplification was achieved by the use of:

  • geometric means: Josef Albers; Franz Kline; Hans Hofmann
  • compression: Grace Hartigan; George McNeil
  • intricate elaboration of canvas surfaces: Richard Pousette-Dart; Robert Richenburg; John Ferren; Jimmy Ernst;
  • isolated shapes or signs: Adolph Gottlieb, Robert Motherwell
  • detailed over-all patterning of the canvas: William Baziotes
  • simplified structure through the dominance of the large, unified color shapes: James Brooks, Esteban Vicente, Adja Yunkers, Cameron Booth; Giorgio Cavallon

In some cases there was a "loss of the feeling and immediacy" in the work.

List of Abstract Imagists

Sources:[3]

Some other Abstract Imagists

See also

Related styles, trends, schools or movements

References

  1. ^ American abstract expressionists and imagists, (New York : Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, 1961.) Library of Congress Card Catalog Number: 61-18230
  2. ^ American abstract expressionists and imagists, (New York : Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, 1961.) Library of Congress Card Catalog Number: 61-18230 p.  23-31
  3. ^ List of American abstract expressionists and imagists, (New York : Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, 1961.) Library of Congress Card Catalog Number: 61-18230 p.  85-95
  4. ^ Tranquil power : the art and life of Perle Fine. p.202 ISBN 1-877675-54-7
  5. ^ "Rollin Crampton, Abstract Artist". The New York Times. 1970-01-20. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-01-09.
  6. ^ Shaman's fire : the late paintings of David Hare. p.11 ISBN 0-9603246-3-1
  7. ^ James Rosati - American Artist (1911-1988)

Sources

  • Virgil Baker, From realism to reality in recent American painting. (Lincoln : University of Nebraska Press, 1959.)
  • Bernard H. Friedman, School of New York: some younger artists. (New York, Grove Press [©1959])
  • Sam Hunter, Modern American Painting and Sculpture. ([New York, Dell Pub. Co., 1959])
  • Harold Rosenberg, The Tradition of the New. (New York, Horizon Press, 1959)
  • György Kepes, The Visual Arts Today. (Middletown, Conn., Wesleyan University Press [1960])