Jackson Pollock

Number 1, 1950 (Lavender Mist)

1950

Abstract Expressionism

The desire was the cover the entire canvas with paint. This is about the paint, canvas and art and the want to make a universal language for art. Make art that everyone everywhere will be able to enjoy and understand. The application of paint to the canvas is the artist purely responding to artistic instincts.

Willem de Kooning

Woman I

1950-1952

Abstract Expressionism

This is about the artists encounter with the painting. The artist paints his women to resemble ancient figures of women. Believes women to be nurturers and the cradle of life but to be agressive at the same time.

Barnett Newman

Vir Heroicus Sublimis

1950-1951

Abstract Expressionism

Features were reduced down to just line and color. Uses the rule of thirds. This painting is about life, the abyss and about man being noble. The lines are the people and the red color is the abyss. The lines are man facing the abyss of life. It is so simple to eliminate the affect of artist involment. It is a symbolic universal meaning.

Mark Rothko

No. 14

1960

Abstract Expressionism

All about pure color. This is not about anything expect for color wokring against the other. Color is seen as a doorway to another reality.

David Smith

Cubi XIX

1964

Abstract Expressionism

Here the artist uses metals he is familiar with. He roughens up the texture to add a personal touch and the artists footprint. Light hitting the surface activates the effect.

Richard Hamilton

Just What Is It That Makes Today’s Homes So Different, So Appealing?

1956

Pop Art

This painting is all about modern society and consumerism. People though that owning things and amenities like canned food as a sign of prsperity. This painting shows pieces of the then modern life such as going to the movies, owning a car, having a tv and the moon as a ceiling to show space exploration. Unlike the Renaissance, now pin-up girls and Charles Atlas are the heroes now. Item are what define us now.

Robert Rauschenberg

Canyon

1959

Pop Art

This painting was placed together at random so as to not have a preconceived meaning. The artist wanted people to have their own interpretations. 

Andy Warhol

Marilyn Diptych

1962

Pop Art

He takes an icon and puts her both in color and black and white to show her vast career. This was silk screened to bring graphic art into fine art.   The fading out show the presence of the artist and that its not perfect to show a human aspect of Marilyn. Also the repetition of her face is to show that she was being used as an object to be consumed when she was alive. 

Duane Hanson

Supermarket Shopper

1970

Superrealism

The point of this was to make unseen people be noticed and have people be aware of them. The artist wanted people to pay close attention to ordinary scenes.

Judy Chicago

The Dinner Party

1979

Feminist Art

The artist wants to make society aware of those women left out of history books. The triangle shows the sign for women and there are 13 tables on each side because there are 13 witches in a coven which are usually filled with women. Embroidery and painted china is used to show what women do. Names of female writers, actors, historical figures around the triangle. Each table has a place setting with a name and a vagina because sexuality unites all women. The theme is a dinner because women were excluded out of the Last Supper.

Christo and Jeanne-Claude

Surrounded Islands

1980-1983