Abstract Expressionism run-down. NYC art movement of the late 40's to late 50's shifted the focus of the art world from Europe to New York. See POTD

1. ABSTRACT EXPRESSIONISM What’d ya expect? A Pollock?! lol.

8. Number 1 (1948 68”x104” Oil, enamel and aluminum paint on Canvas National Gallery of Art, Washington DC

9. Another Abstract Expressionist leader, Willem de Kooning was the only well recognized painter in this new art form to use figurative elements in his work. Referred to as “Action painting”, de Kooning’s work has a feeling of feverish paint application, speedy and ‘from the arm’ (as opposed to painting from the wrist) de Koonings work was very rough and grotesque. There is beauty in the grotesque though, just ask Steven A. Cohen; hedge fund manager and founder of SAC Captial Advisors. He bought this painting for $137M. Making it the second most expensive painting ever sold (next to Jackson Pollock’s #5). It was sold by David Geffen who got it from Thomas Ammann Fine Art for the remainder of a 16 th century Persian manuscript. Crazy huh?! Woman III 1953 68x48.5” Oil on Canvas Private Collection

10. Pablo (yeah we’re on a first name thing like that) Baigneur et Baigneuses 1921 W de Kooning Woman I 1950-52 6’4x58 Oil on canvas William de Kooning Foundation Woman VI, 1953 oil on canvas 68 1/2 X 58 1/2 in. (174 X 148.6 cm) (…if it makes you feel any better- I don’t really like most of the Woman series either :P)

12. Entrance to Subway [Subway Scene], 1938 For a few years Rothko and a few compatriots invent the style of Academicism- basically a style motivated by traditional art narratives (form, color, balance, composition) but with a strong emphasis on the subject matter. These paintings were really ugly and usually pretty poorly painted. During this time Rothko experimented with watercolors and the luminosity and fluidity would be another hallmark of his artistic identity(left). Untitled 1945-1946 National Gallery of Art Gift of The Mark Rothko Foundation, Inc., 198

14. Room in ‘Rothko Chapel Houston, TX