Tag: Lee Krasner

Lenore “Lee” Krasner (born Lena Krassner; October 27, 1908 – June 19, 1984) was a trailblazing American Abstract Expressionist painter and visual artist based primarily in New York. Unveil the journey of this influential artist who left an indelible mark on the art world.

Krasner’s artistic journey began with early academic training at the Women’s Art School of Cooper Union and the National Academy of Design (1928–1932). Her exposure to Post-Impressionism at the Museum of Modern Art in 1929 ignited a lasting interest in modern art. The transformative classes taught by Hans Hofmann in 1937 influenced Krasner to incorporate Cubism into her paintings. During the Great Depression, she contributed to the Works Progress Administration’s Federal Art Project, later transitioning to war propaganda artworks during the War Services era.

By the 1940s, Krasner emerged as a prominent figure among American abstract artists linked with the New York School, building connections with influential figures like Willem de Kooning and Mark Rothko. Despite her critical success, her career often played second fiddle to that of her husband, Jackson Pollock, whom she married in 1945. The challenges of Pollock’s infidelity and alcoholism left a profound emotional impact on Krasner.

The late 1950s to the early 1960s marked a period of evolution for Krasner, characterized by a more expressive and gestural style, influenced by the untimely death of her husband in 1956. In her later years, she garnered broader artistic and commercial recognition, with a distinct shift towards large horizontal paintings featuring hard-edge lines and vibrant contrasting colors.

Throughout her life, Krasner earned numerous honorary degrees, including an Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts from Stony Brook University. Posthumously, she was hailed as “the Mother Courage of Abstract Expressionism” by critic Robert Hughes, and a retrospective exhibition of her work was held at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

Explore the enduring legacy of Lee Krasner, as preserved by the Pollock-Krasner House and Study Center in Springs, New York, and the Pollock-Krasner Foundation, which actively supports new artists and art historical scholarship in American art. Delve into the vibrant world of this iconic artist and the cultural influence she shared with her husband.