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Abstract impressionism

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Not to be confused with Abstract Expressionism.
Jean-Paul Riopelle, 1953, Untitled, oil on canvas, 114 x 145 cm (44.9 by 57 in.), Museum of Fine Arts of Rennes, France
Abstract Impressionism
Painting "En Plen Air"- Abstract Impressionist technique
Years active1940s-Present
LocationUnited States
Major figuresBernard Cohen, Harold Cohen, Sam Francis, Patrick Heron, Nicolas de Stael
InfluencesImpressionism

Abstract Impressionism is an art movement that originated in New York City, in the 1940s.[1][2] It involves the painting of a subject such as real-life scenes, objects, or people (portraits) in an Impressionist-style, but with an emphasis on varying measures of abstraction.[2] The paintings are often painted en plein air, an artistic style involving painting outside with the landscape directly in front of the artist.[2] The movement works delicately between the lines of pure abstraction (the extent of which varies greatly) and the allowance of an impression of reality in the painting.[3]

History

The first coining of the term “Abstract Impressionism” has been attributed to painter and critic Elaine de Kooning in the 1950s.[4] The introduction of this term and the associated artworks both preceded and legitimised its first exhibition in 1958, curated by Lawrence Alloway.[4]

The term, after being coined by de Elaine Kooning,[4] is considered to have been popularised by art critic Louis Finkelstein (artist) to describe the works of Philip Guston, in order to distinguish his art from that of the growing Abstract Expressionism.[5]

Alloway's Exhibition

Lawrence Alloway's exhibition, the first of its kind for Abstract Impressionism, featured 26 paintings by 23 artists.[6] The idea for the exhibition came from the Fine Art Department of the University of Nottingham, and took place at the Arts Council Gallery in St. James' Square.[6]

The artists featured were from England, France, and America, and their various works were prefaced by a "lengthy catalogue"[6] written by Alloway himself. Alan Bowness, a critic of the show, recalled Nicolas de Staël, Peter Lanyon, and Sam Francis to be participating in the exhibition.[6]

Differentiation

Both the exhibition and the movement in general were considered by many to highlight a distinct differentiation from preceding movements[2]- although, some critics, like Bowness, argued the works of the movement were not differentiated enough from previous works.[6][7]

Despite controversy over its visual conformity (or lack thereof), Abstract Impressionism has been considered an ideological opposition to the other post-war movements of the era, specifically its growing countermovements, Cubism and Futurism.[3] Whilst Futurism focussed on rejecting the art of the past,[8] Abstract Impressionism sought to incorporate techniques from numerous movements before it.[3] This included both the Abstract and Impressionist movements of the early 1900s and the 1860s respectively.[9][10]

William Seitz presumes that Abstract Impressionism is a result from an artist deviation from the “expressionistic aggressiveness of the forties”, and the simultaneous embracing of both new abstraction techniques and more traditional roots of nature and lyrical appreciation.[11]

In terms of distinguishing themselves from traditional Impressionist works, Abstract Impressionists deviate in a way that Elaine de Kooning describes as “keep[ing] the Impressionist manner of looking at a scene, but [leaving] out the scene… thereby giving an old style a new subject”.[12] Simply put, they add abstraction onto Impressionism and take away the reliance on specificity and exactness.

Criticism

See also: Abstract Expressionism, Lyrical Abstraction, and Post-Impressionism

Stylistic Criticism

Abstract Impressionism has been criticised for its legitimacy, and its inability to distinguish itself from other movements, by many art critics.[4][6][7] After one of its early exhibitions at the Arts Gallery Council in St. James Square, Alan Bowness (a highly regarded art critic and historian) described Abstract Impressionism as “just another ‘ism’”,[6] without “the catalogue for the adoption of this new term [being] very convincing”.[6] The main point of contention regards a difficulty separating the movement from other art periods, such as Abstract Expressionism, Lyrical Abstraction or Post-Impressionism.[6][7] Bowness says that in trying to discern "particular qualities these pictures have in common, qualities that differentiate them from other paintings of a roughly similar type... the result is all together inconclusive".[6]

A further issue has been the widely varying degrees of abstraction in the movement, that may make visual uniformity difficult.[6] Bowness notes that he finds it difficult to comprehend any unity between the artworks, and concludes that there is no movement that could rightfully claim all of them.[6]

Categorisation Criticism

Another element of controversy within Abstract Impressionism comes in attempting to categorise its style within other movements.[7] Art historians Simon Watney and Roger Fry[7] debate over two places in which Abstract Impressionism may fit. They conclude to be unsure of whether it is a further development of Post-Impressionism, or if it is perhaps more related to the period of Bloomsbury Abstraction within the Abstract movement.[7]

Additionally, many artists that the Abstract Impressionist movement has claimed- such as Milton Resnick, Sam Francis, Nicolas de Staël, or Jackson Pollock[1][13]- are simultaneously considered to be members of other more widely recognised movements, such as Abstract Expressionism,[1][14] whether by their own definition or the labelling of other art critics.

Style

The style of Abstract Impressionism focusses on the portrayal of real life subjects- typically situated close to the artist themselves- through simplification and abstraction.[1][9] This creates a work of art that lends itself towards the traditions of both Impressionism and Abstract art movements.[3] The amount of abstraction varies greatly from painting to painting,[9][6] which has been seen as a point of controversy in the movement as it disallows visual conformity between works.[6]

Painting Techniques

Armand Guillaumin's Soleil Couchant à Ivry (Sunset at Ivry, 1873). Demonstrates the Impressionist technique of "loading" paint onto the canvas to create a layered impact.

Like Impressionism, the artworks feature short brushstrokes with paint “loaded” onto the painting instrument.[1][3] This technique involves piling paint onto an art tool, such as a brush or a palette knife, and layering the paint onto the canvas or paper to create a multi-layered and textured effect- or, an "impression".[3]

Paintings have been described to resemble late-Impressionist pictures in their technique, like those of Monet.[1] However, they lack the representative content that usually defines Impressionism, in that they have lesser levels of realism.[1]

Abstract Impressionist style also relies largely on the painting embracing the concept of en plein air.[2] En plein air painting is an artistic style involving painting outdoors, with the landscape or subject directly in front of the artist.[2][3] This technique is used primarily by Impressionists.[3] However, Abstract Impression deviates from traditional en plain air artworks as the level of exactness or realism in the painting is seen to be less important than overall atmospheric effect.[2]

Deviations from Similar Movements

Abstract Impressionists have been described to be largely inspired by modern advances in and changing attitudes towards color theory.[2] Traditional Impressionist work, in its reflection of reality, often used gentle, bright, and complementary colours to mirror the outdoor setting and light sources.[3][15] Abstract Impressionists, however, “did not hesitate to apply innovative techniques to their painting, considered revolutionary at the time”.[2]

Notable Artists and Artworks

Antoni Karwowski, Act (2008). Karwowski's work entails the Abstract Impressionist style of depicting an object- in this case, a woman's body- with a degree of abstraction that allows it to still be recongisable.

Notable Artists

As aforementioned, notable artists and artworks of this movement are subject to controversy and possible subjectivity.[4][9][6][7] As such, each claim is referenced.

At the first Abstract Impressionist exhibition, curated by Lawrence Alloway, took place in London.The Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists lists the following artists as its subjects:[1]

Art historian and critic Alan Bowness, in his critique of the first exhibition, also mentions Peter Lanyon's presence, and confirmed Sam Francis and Nicolas de Staël to be there.

The following is a comprehensive list of artists who have been associated with the movement.[1][16][17]

Notable Artworks

File:Cohen Spotlight, Tate Britain, 2017 25.jpg
A photograph of the Tate Museum in which various Bernard Cohen paintings are presented. In That Moment is depicted to the far right of the gallery.
  • Sam Francis: Black and Red[19]
  • Julius Reque: Abstract Impressionism in Photography[20]
  • Bernard Cohen: In That Moment[21]
  • Nicolas de Staël: Etude de Paysage (Landscape Study)[22]
  • Harold Cohen: Before the Event[23]
  • Patrick Heron: Azalea Garden[24]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Chilvers, Ian (2004). "Abstract Impressionism". The Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780198604761.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Eduoard Malingue Gallery. Impressionism to Modern Art. Hong Kong: Eduard Malingue Gallery, 2011. 10.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Callen, Anthe (2000). Techniques of the Impressionists. New Haven: Yale University Press. p. 29. ISBN 9781870461368.
  4. ^ a b c d e Hall, Lee (2000). Elaine and Bill, Portrait of a Marriage: The Lives of Willem and Elaine de Kooning. Michigan: Cooper Square Publishing. ISBN 9780060183059.
  5. ^ Elderfield, John; Louis, Morris (1986). Morris Louis: The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Boston: Little Brown & Co. ISBN 0870704184.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Bowness, Alan (1958-06-15). "Abstract Impressionism?". The Observer: At the Galleries. p. 15.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g Watney, Simon (1980). "Bloomsbury Abstraction". English Post-Impressionism. Great Britain: Studio Vista. pp. 93–108. ISBN 9780289708880.
  8. ^ "Futurism | Definition, Manifesto, Artists, & Facts". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
  9. ^ a b c d Denvir, Bernard (1993). The Chronicle of Impressionism: A Timeline History of Impressionist Art. Boston: Bulfinch Press. ISBN 082122042X.
  10. ^ Gaff, Jackie (2000). 1910-1920 The Birth of Abstract Art: A History of Modern Art. Oxford: Heinemann Library. ISBN 0836828496.
  11. ^ Seitz, William (1956-10-01). "Monet and Abstract Painting". College Art Journal. 16: 34–46 – via JSTOR.
  12. ^ De Kooning, Elaine (1955). The Spirit of Abstract Expressionism: Selected Writings. New York: George Braziller. p. 62. ISBN 978-0807613375.
  13. ^ Gooding, Mel (1994). Patrick Heron. New York: Phaidon Press. p. 4. ISBN 9780714834443.
  14. ^ Solomon, R. (1961). American Abstract Expressionists and Imagists. New York: Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. pp. 85–95.
  15. ^ Webster, J. Carson (1944). "The Technique of Impressionism: A Reappraisal". College Art Journal. 4: 3–22. doi:10.1080/15436322.1944.10795065.
  16. ^ Gooding, Mel (1994). Patrick Heron. New York: Phaidon Press. ISBN 9780714834443.
  17. ^ Sandler, Irving (1979). The New York School: Painters and Sculptors of the Fifties. Colorado: Westview Press. ISBN 9780429708756.
  18. ^ "Jackson Pollock | Biography & Facts". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
  19. ^ Francis, Sam (1954). "Black and Red". Guggenheim Museum. Retrieved 2020-04-05.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  20. ^ Reque, Julius (2009). "Abstract Impressionism in Photography". FlickRiver. Retrieved 2020-05-04.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  21. ^ Tate. "'In That Moment', Bernard Cohen, 1965". Tate. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
  22. ^ Tate. "'Landscape Study', Nicolas de Stael, 1952". Tate. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
  23. ^ Tate. "'Before the Event', Harold Cohen, 1963". Tate. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
  24. ^ Tate. "'Azalea Garden : May 1956', Patrick Heron, 1956". Tate. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
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