When it comes to such a direction in painting as abstractionism, then immediately comes to mind the famous painting of Malevich "Black Square". Perhaps there is an explanation for this. This painting is one of the most famous, and despite the fact that it is already over 100 years old, it still excites the minds of art critics.
If we talk about abstractionism, then this is a form of art that refuses real forms and things. The works are a combination of geometric shapes, spots and lines.
One of the most famous abstractionists is Markus Rotkovich - he said that his the works send the viewer to an unknown world, into which the observer would hardly want to go.
The paintings of the great Russian artist Vasily Kandinsky are not clear to everyone - a person who does not understand art does not understand them, but connoisseurs of creativity clearly see the author’s philosophical view of things.
In the article you can learn about the most famous abstraction artists, their works, and learn to better understand painting.
10. Arshil Gorky (Vozdanik Adoyan)
Years of life: 1904-1948
Arshile Gorky - An American artist of Armenian descent, who created in a new style.
For work, he developed one technique - the artist laid out white canvases on the floor, and poured paint from a container on them. After the paint hardened, he scratched lines in it, creating something like bas-reliefs.
The master’s paintings are saturated - the viewers, looking at them, feel the ripple emanating from the canvas, made in bright red and orange colors.
The artist experienced loneliness, and sadness overwhelmed him, even being surrounded by relatives and friends. In 1948, a master at the age of 44 committed suicide by hanging himself at home.
Famous works: “Naked”, “Betrothal II”, “Agony”.
9. Markus Rotkovich
Years of life: 1903-1970
Markus Rotkovich born in a Jewish family in Latvia. In the 1930s and 40s, the master became interested in expressionism and surrealism, and from 1947 he began to work in the genre of abstractionism.
He depicted triangles parallel to each other. Strange canvases inspired a state of peace and plunged the viewer into thoughts about fate, death, tragedy.
An inexperienced viewer sees in Rothko’s canvases a “daub”, but his works are recognized as brilliant creations.
Curious fact: in 1968, the artist discovered an arterial aneurysm, but despite this, Rothko continued to drink and smoke a lot. Repeatedly, the master fell into clinical depression, and, leaving his children and wife, the artist moved to his studio. In 1970, he took a large dose of antidepressants and cut his veins, he was 66 years old.
Famous works: "No. 1 Royal Red and Blue", "White Center", "Black on maroon."
8. Frantisek Kupka
Years of life: 1871-1957
The art of painting is not limited to reproducing reality, and the 20th century was able to prove it perfectly.
Frantisek Kupkaborn in a small town in Eastern Bohemia is a vivid representative of abstract art. His paintings are the artistic equivalents of philosophical decisions that relate to the laws of nature, creation, space, the life cycle.
Kupka spent the last years of his life in Puto, where he died in 1957 at the age of 85.
Famous works: “Vertical Plains Blue and Red,” “Blue,” “Disks of Newton, Study for Fugue in Two Colors.”
7. Joan Miró
Years of life: 1893-1983
The Spanish artist is one of the most prominent surrealists. Joan Miró he was a happy person, he felt like a creator at any moment of his life: when he drew, drew, told something or sang a song. Each work of the master is a lively, dancing garden, a singing opera.
In 1939-1944 Fascism spreads across Europe, and, worried about the life of his family, Miro moved to Varanzhivil (a small village on the Normandy coast), where he renounced war and the outside world.
Locked in himself, the master began his work on a beautiful series of "Constellations", they are clean and beautiful. In 1945, “Constellations” were exhibited in the gallery, the exhibition was a huge success, and this time was the beginning of the artist’s success, he received worldwide recognition.
Famous works: "Constellations", "Blue Star", "Blue II".
6. Paul Klee
Years of life: 1879-1940
Paul Klee - the first person to call the drawings of lunatics and children a real work. The master invented his own technique - engraving with a needle on glass.
Paul Klee devoted a lot of time to education, including self-education, believing that the artist should be a philosopher, a naturalist and a poet.
In addition, he was born in the family of a music teacher, and for some time played the violin. Klee was musically gifted, but decided to become an artist.
Interesting fact: Arseny Tarkovsky wrote a poem dedicated to Klee, which was published in the collection.
Famous works: “Abstract color harmony”, “Full moon”, “Strong Dream”.
5. Robert Delaunay
Years of life: 1885-1941
Delaunay is a famous French painter. From early childhood, the Parisian was fascinated by the sun, flowers, the observation of which instilled in him a subtle perception of light and color.
The master was brought up by his uncle after his parents divorced. Robert Delaunay Together with his wife, he developed an artistic movement - Orphism, which became a new branch of abstractionism.
Famous works: "Rhythm 1", "Synchronous disk", "Rhythm".
4. Pete Mondrian
Years of life: 1872-1944
Pete Mondrian - artist from the Netherlands. His masterpieces were created on purpose of elementary lines, forms, this particular technique, which reads: "Everything ingenious is simple”, Made Mondrian a recognizable artist.
In his works, Pete Mondrian presented his sense of peace through opposites - vertical and horizontal, feminine and masculine, minuses and pluses. His paintings impressed the world of art, and imitations of the master's genius are still found in architecture, fashion, etc.
Famous works: “Composition with Red, Yellow, and Blue,” “Composition in Color A,” “Boogie Woogie on Broadway.”
3. Kazimir Malevich
Years of life: 1879-1935
Russian avant-garde artist, Kazimir Malevich, worked in different styles: impressionism, cubism, neo-primitivism, etc.
The boy’s childhood passed far from large cities - in Ukrainian villages. The picturesque nature and rural life inspired him, and in the future influenced his work. In his paintings you can see peasant themes.
The artist invented Suprematism and entered the history of art as the author of Black Square.
Famous works: “Black Square”, “Black Circle”, “Red Square”, “Red Cavalry Gallops”.
2. Jackson Pollock
Years of life: 1912-1956
As a child, the artist was not distinguished by the ability to draw, and no one could have thought that Pollock would become the leader of abstract expressionism. However, he made a significant contribution to the art of the second half of the 20th century.
Jackson pollock He didn’t like to use brushes and paints; instead, he simply sprayed them onto the canvas, creating masterpieces. The artist himself called this technique "pouring technique"For which he was called Jack Sprayer. This form of painting was associated with surrealism, because it expressed the emotions of its creator.
Jackson Pollock was having a hard time breaking up with his wife, Krasner, he locked himself in and became gloomy. Being in a drunken state, the artist got into his convertible, and lost control. The car flew off the road and capsized. Jackson died by hitting a tree.
Famous works: "No. 5.1948", "Number 17A."
1. Vasily Kandinsky
Years of life: 1866-1944
The artist was not born talented, he began to paint only 30 years old. However, he managed to become famous not only for paintings, but also for theoretical treatises, one of the most famous “On the Spiritual in Art”.
Kandinsky was engaged in scientific activity, brilliantly graduated from the Law University of Moscow State University, but decided to leave his activity for the sake of painting. In 1900 Vasily Kandinsky went to Munich and entered Anton Azhbe's private school there, feeling his true calling.
Famous works: “Green Composition”, “Composition IV”, “Contrasting Sounds”, “Black and Violet”, “Moody”.