Lee Krasner

Modern Masters Series #15

by Robert Carleton Hobbs, Lee Krasner

Lee Krasner never took the easy way out–not in life, not in art. Brought up in a poor Brooklyn neighborhood and originally named Lena Krasner by her immigrant parents, she decided early on to create a new name and a new identity for herself. Later, as one of the few female painters in the aggressively male circle of Abstract Expressionists, she had to contend not only with the critics' skepticism about their new way of making art but also with the skepticism that greeted any woman's attempts to become a professional artist. Lee Krasner never took the easy way out ― not in life, not in art. Brought up in a poor Brooklyn neighborhood and originally named Lena Krasner by her immigrant parents, she decided early on to create a new name and a new identity for herself. Later, as one of the few female painters in the aggressively male circle of Abstract Expressionists, she had to contend not only with the critics' skepticism about their new way of making art but also with the skepticism that greeted any woman's attempts to become a professional artist. Many of Krasner's male colleagues ― including her husband, Jackson Pollock ― developed a unique "signature" style that identified them throughout their careers. Krasner, however, experimented with one style after another, from her early geometric abstractions (created while she was one of Hans Hofmann's most talented students), through her large-scale organic images of mid-career, to the hard-edge compositions of her late years. Certain elements recur throughout ― most notably, her distinctive sense of color, her affinity for swelling forms inspired by nature, and her fearlessness in experimenting with new techniques. Krasner's unwillingness to stick to one style, her readiness to put her career aside to focus on Pollock's, and her feuds with some of the period's most powerful critics all reduced her visibility in the art world. She has been the subject of exhibition catalogs, but this is the first monograph devoted to her work, and it brings to light all the intriguing complexities of her approach to making art. Dr. Robert Hobbs skillfully explores the twists and turns of her career, offering new information and insight about one of the most intriguing painters of the postwar era. About the Modern Masters With informative, enjoyable texts and over 100 illustrations ― approximately 48 in full color ― this innovative series offers a fresh look at the most creative and influential artists of the postwar era. The authors are highly respected art historians and critics chosen for their ability to think clearly and write well. Each handsomely designed volume presents a thorough survey of the artist's life and work, as well as statements by the artist, an illustrated chapter on technique, a chronology, lists of exhibitions and public collections, an annotated bibliography, and an index. Every art lover, from the casual museum goer to the serious student, teacher, critic, or curator, will be eager to collect these Modern Masters. And with such a low price, they can afford to collect them all.

Genres: Art, History

128 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1993

Reviews

[Aren Ritchie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I originally picked this book up from my university’s library to skim for quotes to use in a paper I was writing about Lee Krasner. Even though I didn’t plan on reading the whole thing, the bits I did read were so interesting that I decided to sit down and read the rest once I finished my paper. This book really covers about everything you’d want to know about her. I’d recommend it to anyone with even a passing interest in abstract art or women artists.

[Kallie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great study of Krasner's path and process as an artist. Krasner's paintings, changes in style, symbolism of form and color, emotional processes and expression of same, are discussed and analyzed in detail, so the reader comes away with insight into Krasner, and abstract expressionism. Biography itself focuses mainly on art, how life events play a part in her work.

[Ed Smiley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really 3 and a half stars, but you read art books often for the illustrations, and these are copious. The writing is somewhat cobbled together, and attempting to shoehorn Krasner into critical categories.

Lee Krasner, for the general reader who does not know this, was the wife of Jackson Pollock, as well as being an excellent abstract expressionist painter in her own right. That being said, will totally ignore that aspect, other than to note that examination of her work seems to indicate that influence went in both directions, Pollock's Easter and the Totem, a less typical work of his, seems to bear similarities to some of Krasner's earlier work. (I didn't really get that from the text, my own impression.)

Krasner had several interesting styles, and they are well illustrated and discussed: the "little image" paintings, which involved many many units, that are writing like and of modest scale, large bold abstract expressionist paintings, large paintings with extremely bold color combinations that fuse minimalism with abstract expressionism (some of these are among my favorites), and her collage/paintings.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lee Krasner was not only Jackson Pollock's wife, she was the better artist.