Willem de Kooning in 5 Works: A Look at the Abstract Expressionist Master

The 20th century was not devoid of great masters—artists who have forever changed the history of art and how we perceive beauty. One such master is indeed Willem de Kooning. The Dutch-born artist stands as a titan of Abstract Expressionism, a revolutionary post-WWII art movement that challenged traditional notions of beauty and representation.

De Kooning’s Life and Career

Born on April 24, 1904, in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Willem de Kooning’s artistic foundation began with classical training at the Rotterdam Academy of Fine Arts. In 1926, he moved to the United States, where he initially worked as a house painter and commercial artist. He settled in New York City, becoming part of the vibrant and burgeoning art scene and befriending influential artists like Arshile Gorky, Stuart Davis, and John Graham, a group which he called the “Three Musketeers.”

In New York, de Kooning also started experimenting with his production and quickly developed his distinctive style. In 1937, he was finally able to work full-time as an artist, thanks to commissions and lessons he gave to other aspiring artists.

Reminiscent of his European roots, the artist started blending examples of modernism with the new forms of expression he experienced first-hand and through fellow artists in New York. Initially, his work was influenced by Cubism and Surrealism, but after World War II, he drew closer to the new movements stirring the art scene in New York, especially in abstract art.

Joining the New York School, his work progressively evolved into his raw and abstract signature style, and the artist became a central figure in the Abstract Expressionism scene, which emerged in the 1940s and 1950s.

Throughout his career, Willem De Kooning’s work remained faithful to this blend of human figures, emotions, and abstract influences, inspiring generations of artists in the United States and Europe. His legacy is stronger than ever today, and almost 30 years after his passing, he still fascinates the public, as proved by major retrospectives in leading museums worldwide.

Human Figures and Abstract Expressionism

Willem de Kooning’s career was marked by constant evolution and experimentation, and these five works will help us better understand his figures, the evolution of his art, and the key aspects of his production. In these works, we see the breadth and depth of his artistic achievements, from the early works to the energetic abstraction of Excavation and the contemplative simplicity of his later Untitled works.

1. Pink Angels (1945)

Marking an important shift from figuration to abstraction, Pink Angels presents all the elements that evolved to become central in de Kooning’s work. While the biomorphic forms vaguely suggest angels and are reminiscent of his previous work, the painting is characterized by energetic brushstrokes and a vibrant palette.

The carnage of World War II reportedly inspired the painting, as the figures seem to portray flesh and limbs. At the same time, they blend with the mustard background and blur towards an abstract scene, where colors and forms are equally important. The same use of color and composition that some scholars have speculated could be inspired by a Titian painting, stands between his early production and the later evolution of his practice.

2. Excavation (1950)

Willem de Kooning truly embraced abstraction in the 1950s, and Excavation is often regarded as his masterpiece. It is a quintessential example of Abstract Expressionism. According to de Kooning, the painting was inspired by an image of women working in a rice field from Riso Amaro (Bitter Rice), a 1949 Italian Neorealist film.

The different planes, intertwined and overlapped in his composition, present body parts, animals, and abstract figures among dark lines and large empty color fields. Layers of oil paint are scraped, dripped, and gesturally applied, revealing glimpses of figures and shapes beneath the surface. This type of composition, where the entire canvas holds equal visual importance, became a defining characteristic of the New York movement.

The painting’s title suggests a process of uncovering or revealing, much like an archaeological dig. This clearly describes de Kooning’s painting process, an intensive building up of the surface and scraping down its paint layers, often for months, until the desired effect was achieved.

3. Woman I (1950–1952)

Sometimes overlooked as a regression to the previous figurative models, Woman I remains one of de Kooning’s most iconic contributions to art history and the first example of a long and controversial series. Resulting from a process that involved multiple studies and the destruction of earlier versions of the same painting, Woman I marked a departure from pure abstraction. It reintroduced the human figure into Willem de Kooning’s work.

The aggressive, distorted female figure pulsates with a ferocious energy. The brushstrokes and vivid colors sparked both admiration and criticism. De Kooning’s portrayal of the woman is grotesque and powerful, challenging traditional notions of beauty and femininity. The raw energy and emotional intensity of Woman I exemplify de Kooning’s ability to blend figuration with abstraction, making it a cornerstone of his oeuvre.

4. Door to the River (1960)

After moving from Manhattan to the rural area of East Hampton in the late 1950s, Willem De Kooning’s work took yet another form. It started to reflect the environment and emotions evoked by this new location. In this regard, Door to the River represents a perfect example of the shift in De Kooning’s style towards more expansive and lyrical compositions.

Using broad brushstrokes made with housepainter’s brushes, the painting presents a door-like rectangle in the center of the canvas, framed by pink, yellow, brown, and white forms, with touches of blue that might perhaps represent the river from the title. Floating on the canvas, the subject evokes a sense of suspension and indicates a new connection of the artist with the natural world.

As the title suggests, the painting is a threshold or passage, a moment of transition in the artist’s career. It bears neither the marks of the continual reworking characteristic of earlier paintings nor the turbulence of his later work. Door to the River highlights de Kooning’s versatility and ability to infuse abstract compositions with emotion and a sense of stillness.

5. Untitled Series (1980s)

In his later years, Willem De Kooning started suffering from both mental and physical health issues. After years of alcoholism, he gave up drinking in 1981 but shortly after developed Alzheimer’s disease. He eventually ceased painting in the 1990s, but the last decade of his career saw a few productive seasons, during which he reinvented yet another type of his painting style.

Abandoning his layered technique and rich compositions, De Kooning’s work became more serene and contemplative. The Untitled series is a prime example of this late style, characterized by simplicity and elegance. The paintings feature broad, sweeping gestures and a limited color palette of white, yellow, pink, and green over white backgrounds, creating a sense of tranquility and balance.

In this late stage of his career, the artist used a taping knife (a flat-bladed tool used in drywall construction) to apply paint to the canvas. He continued to explore new forms of expression and demonstrated his unwavering commitment to his craft.

The work of Willem de Kooning is currently on view in Venice at the Gallerie dell’Accademia. The exhibition Willem de Kooning and Italy opened on April 17th, 2024, and will remain on view until September 15th, 2024. The exhibition will be the first to explore the time de Kooning spent in Italy in 1959 and 1969 and the profound impact those visits had on his work. It brings together around 75 works, making it the largest presentation of the artist ever organized in Italy.