Lee Krasner (1908–1984)
Lee Krasner was an influential American artist and a leading figure in the Abstract Expressionist movement. Over her six-decade career, she created a dynamic body of work marked by constant reinvention and experimentation. Though often overshadowed during her lifetime by her husband, Jackson Pollock, Krasner’s art has gained significant recognition for its originality, emotional depth, and formal innovation.
Early Life and Education
- Birth and Background: Born Lena Krassner in Brooklyn, New York, to Orthodox Jewish immigrants from Ukraine, Krasner showed an early interest in art.
- Art Training: She studied at several prestigious institutions:
- The Cooper Union and National Academy of Design (classical training).
- Later attended Hans Hofmann's School of Fine Arts, where she learned modernist principles, including Cubism and abstraction.
Career Highlights
Early Work
- Krasner initially worked on mural projects for the Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the Great Depression, which honed her skills in large-scale composition.
- Influenced by Cubism and early modernist movements, she transitioned from figurative art to abstraction.
Abstract Expressionism
- Little Image Series (1946–1950): Dense, intricate works resembling hieroglyphic writing or mosaics, showcasing her interest in structure and rhythm.
- Collages (1950s): Krasner began incorporating pieces of her own earlier drawings and works into collages, demonstrating her ability to transform past creations into new compositions.
- Gestural Abstraction: Works like The Seasons (1957) and Gaea (1966) reveal her bold brushwork and sensitivity to color, expressing themes of regeneration and vitality.
Late Career
- Following Pollock's death in 1956, Krasner shifted to larger canvases and bolder colors, producing some of her most celebrated works.
- Her monumental paintings from the 1960s and 1970s explore organic forms and luminous palettes, often inspired by nature and her emotional landscape.
Artistic Style and Legacy
Krasner’s art is defined by its variety and vitality:
- Constant Reinvention: Krasner refused to be confined to one style, embracing collage, large-scale painting, and drawing with equal enthusiasm.
- Dynamic Composition: Her works are marked by rhythmic energy, vibrant color, and gestural brushstrokes.
- Integration of Nature: Organic, plant-like forms often appear in her paintings, reflecting her fascination with growth and life cycles.
Influence and Recognition
- Krasner was a pioneer among women in a male-dominated art world. Though her contributions were initially overlooked, she is now celebrated as a trailblazer of Abstract Expressionism.
- Major retrospectives of her work, including those at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and Barbican Art Gallery, have cemented her place in art history.
Personal Life
- Marriage to Jackson Pollock: Krasner and Pollock married in 1945. Their relationship was tumultuous but artistically significant, as they influenced each other’s work.
- Resilience: After Pollock’s death, Krasner continued to evolve as an artist, maintaining her independence and creativity.
Notable Works
- Untitled (1949, Little Image Series)
- The Seasons (1957)
- Gaea (1966)
- Pollination (1968)
Legacy
Krasner’s work remains an enduring testament to her creative resilience and innovative spirit. She not only helped shape Abstract Expressionism but also paved the way for future generations of women artists. Her ability to adapt and transform her art speaks to her profound understanding of modernist principles and her desire to continuously challenge herself.
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All-over Painting
All-over painting by Lee Krasner, an important figure in the Abstract Expressionist movement, refers to her works characterized by a dense, non-hierarchical application of paint across the entire canvas. This technique avoids a single focal point, instead creating a uniform visual impact that engages the viewer's eye with dynamic, rhythmic energy across the surface.
Key Features:
- Dense Composition: Krasner often filled the canvas edge to edge with bold colors, lines, and shapes.
- Organic Movement: Her brushstrokes frequently have a gestural, organic quality, evoking motion and vitality.
- Layering: She incorporated layers of paint to build texture and depth.
- Interwoven Forms: Krasner’s works feature interconnected forms that seem to grow and pulse across the canvas, reflecting her intuitive process.
Context:
Krasner's all-over style developed in part from her studies with Hans Hofmann, as well as her exploration of Jackson Pollock’s drip painting techniques (Pollock was her husband). However, her style remained distinct, often inflected with her interest in natural forms, color, and collage.
Notable examples of this approach include works from her "Little Image" series of the late 1940s and later pieces like "The Seasons" (1957), which display her mastery of creating vibrant, immersive compositions.
Lee Krasner and the "Ninth Street Women"
The "Ninth Street Women" is a term that refers to a group of pioneering women artists who played significant roles in shaping Abstract Expressionism, the first major modern art movement to emerge from the United States. These women challenged the male-dominated art world of mid-20th century New York and created groundbreaking work that continues to influence art today. The term gained prominence after the publication of Mary Gabriel's book Ninth Street Women: Lee Krasner, Elaine de Kooning, Grace Hartigan, Joan Mitchell, and Helen Frankenthaler (2018).
Lee Krasner's Role
Central to Abstract Expressionism
Lee Krasner was a key member of this group, both as an artist and as a connective force in the art world. Known for her relentless reinvention and dynamic works, she was deeply embedded in the avant-garde scene, contributing her unique voice to Abstract Expressionism. Her association with the "Ninth Street Women" highlights her influence and camaraderie with other women artists striving for recognition.
Ninth Street Show (1951)
The group’s name derives from the historic Ninth Street Show of 1951, organized by art dealer Leo Castelli and The Club, a gathering of Abstract Expressionist artists. The show took place in a building at 60 East 9th Street in Manhattan and included work by both male and female artists. Krasner’s inclusion in this landmark exhibition underscored her importance within the movement, despite the gender biases of the time.
Key Relationships and Contributions
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Elaine de Kooning
- Like Krasner, Elaine navigated the challenges of being married to a prominent artist (Willem de Kooning) while carving out her own identity as a painter and writer. Elaine admired Krasner’s strength and her ability to advocate for her work.
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Grace Hartigan
- Known for blending abstraction with figuration, Hartigan shared Krasner’s resilience in asserting her place in a male-dominated art scene. The two women pushed boundaries in their exploration of color and gesture.
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Joan Mitchell
- Mitchell, who emerged slightly later, was influenced by the earlier pioneers like Krasner. Both artists shared a deep connection to nature and created works characterized by expressive, sweeping gestures.
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Helen Frankenthaler
- Frankenthaler’s pioneering "soak-stain" technique paralleled Krasner’s experimental approach to abstraction. Both artists emphasized color and process, though their styles were distinct.
Challenges Faced by the "Ninth Street Women"
Despite their talent and contributions, these women faced significant obstacles:
- Gender Bias: The art world, critics, and even peers often overlooked or dismissed their work.
- Marital Dynamics: Several of the women were married to famous male artists, and their identities were sometimes subsumed under their husbands’ reputations. For example, Krasner was frequently overshadowed by her husband, Jackson Pollock, even though she had an independent and evolving career.
- Financial Struggles: Like many artists, they faced challenges in securing gallery representation and sales early in their careers.
Krasner's Enduring Legacy
Krasner stands out among the "Ninth Street Women" for her fierce independence and dedication to her craft:
- Reinvention: She constantly experimented, moving from her Little Image series to bold, gestural abstractions, and later to collages and large-scale paintings.
- Mentorship: Krasner supported and inspired other women artists, proving that their voices belonged in the art world.
- Recognition: Though initially overshadowed, she achieved posthumous acclaim, with major retrospectives and increasing acknowledgment of her role in Abstract Expressionism.
Why the Ninth Street Women Matter
The "Ninth Street Women," including Krasner, were trailblazers who broke barriers for women in the art world. Their perseverance, innovation, and camaraderie demonstrated that women could—and did—create work as powerful and transformative as their male counterparts. Today, they are celebrated not just as great women artists, but as great artists, period.
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