Abstract Expressionism Paperback – July 23, 2019

Heritage: from Cubism "the backcloth of modernism" through influences such as Benton and Avery then onto the various AB-EX artists. This book presents a grand sweep of a 'group' of artists without center. They remained too individualistic to accept a group identity. An broad breath that extends from Newman's abstract measured panoramas to de Kooning's fierce figuration.Anfam presents Pollock, de Kooning, Still, Rothko, Noewman, Klein, Guston, Gorky, Motherwell, gottlieb = the prime members of AB-EX. Their personal progression, growth and acceptance.Individual original statements. A boundless art movement without compare. To allow ones feeling to lead and dictate the structure and formation of art. "The elimination of all obstacles between the painter and the idea and between the idea and the observer". In no other art movement is the observer closer to the feelings of the artist. Stand before a Rothko, Pollock, or Still and just feel the power their art exudes.Imagry, sybolism, and outright bravado ended the silence and solitude of art past thus allowing for a stretching of the arms of art future. Maybe Pollock "broke the ice", but these guys unrelentingly fixed it into our collective psyche. The heritage of AB-EX is enormous. Every artist since is a bastard of there guys. Everything we see around us, on TV, magazines, etc., is directly influenced by this art period of the 1940's.An impressive edition effectually written and beautifully presented by David Anfam. No this is not a cocktail picture book. Rather an expert history exploring a fascinating subject. Wonderfully complimented by appropriate art reproductions.

Great over view of art work from this era. Also some nice surprises mixed in. Good plates

Lots of great full page images. The first quarter of the book is writing about the history of Abstract Expressionism.

excellent book with nice history accompanying it

This book is awesome !

A good book for understanding the scope of what constitutes Abstract Expressionism (it goes well beyond the type of "spatter" paintings that were made famous by Jackson Pollock). It's a large, heavy work, and the quality of the paper and printing are excellent. In general it's the kind of coffee table book someone would actually be likely to pick up and look at, a true conversation starter. The copy I received shipped in plastic as well, which is nice when ordering an art book (the more it can be protected during shipment the better).

Really well put together from start to finish - high quality and covers all the major ground from the period.

This is a marvelous book. I would venture to say it will show you everything you'd want to know about abstract expressionism, Wonderful color printing.

The pictures are terrific. Maybe one too many Rothko, but a fine collection.

Excellent book - excellent seller

A brilliant catalogue from an equally brilliant show.