Willem de Kooning in his studio, 1961.
Known for his role in theAbstract Expressionistmovement, his style bounced from abstract to figurative throughout his life.
By 16, he was working as an art director at a department store.
Willem de Kooning in his studio, 1961. (Photo:Smithsonian Institution Archivesvia Wikipedia)
He continued to paint throughout his life, only stopping in 1991 when his health declined.
What is it that makes de Kooning’s work so sought after?
Let’s learn more about the incredible life and career of Willem de Kooning, the incredible modernist master.
5 Facts About Willem de Kooning
He was an illegal immigrant.
He stowed away on the British freighter bound for Argentina and entered into the United States illegally.
Early in his career, his immigration status was somewhat of a hindrance.
After nearly forty years in America, he finally became a U.S. citizen in 1962.
His work was sometimes controversial.
One of de Koonings most famous series was also his most controversial.
In 1950, when de Kooning was already enjoying great success, he began paintingWoman.
This series, which consists of six paintings, turned the classic Western depiction of femininity on its head.
Critics also derided what they perceived as an aggressive and violent depiction of women, saying it was degrading.
In 2006,Woman IIIwas sold to billionaire Steven A. Cohen for $137.5 million.
This made it the fourth most expensive painting ever sold at the time.
He was a risk-taker.
To these criticisms, de Kooning replied, Flesh is the reason that oil painting was invented.
He also wasnt afraid to edit his own work.
His wife, Elaine de Kooning, estimated that about 200 images preceded his finishedWoman Ipainting.
He had a tumultuous marriage.
De Kooning met painter Elaine Friedwho was 14 years his juniorshortly after leaving the WPA in 1938.
She sat for one of his early paintings of a female figure inSeated Woman(1940).
They eventually separated in 1957, but never divorced.
He suffered from Alzheimers.
This didnt seem to slow his artistic output, though.
In fact, he was more prolific than ever for several years.
It seems unsurprising that the man who once said, I dont live to paint.
I paint to live, continued to produce artwork into his mid-80s.
Many, in light of his Alzheimers diagnosis, question the validity of these paintings.
