Notes on Los Pintores del Gesto and Abstract Expressionism

Theoretical Bases of Gesture Painting

  • Influences: Surrealism, Mexican Muralism, Dadaism, and Jungian psychology.
  • Existentialism: Based on the Sartrean principle "Ser es hacer" (To be is to do).

Expressive Resources and Techniques

  • Compositional Style: Open composition and a focus on the expression of the artist's procedure.
  • Key Techniques:     * All over: Covering the entire surface of the canvas.     * Dripping: Compulsive choice and application of paint.

Key Critics and Theorists

  • James Johnson Sweeney (1900–1986): Influential curator and writer.
  • Sidney Janis (1896–1989): Art dealer and author of Abstract and Surrealist Art in America (1944).
  • Clement Greenberg (1909–1994): Author of the seminal essay "Avant-Garde and Kitsch" (1939).

Primary Artists of the Movement

  • Jackson Pollock (1912–1956): Famed for his dripping technique; notable works include Mural (1943), which measures 243.21×603.25 cm243.21 \times 603.25\,\text{cm}.
  • Willem de Kooning (1904–1997): Major figure in the New York School.
  • Clyfford Still (1904–1980): Pioneer of Abstract Expressionism.
  • Hans Hofmann (1880–1966): Known for his "push and pull" theory of color and space.
  • Franz Kline (1910–1962): Recognized for large-scale black and white gestural paintings.
  • Other Notable Artists: James Brooks (1906–1992), Bradley W. Tomlin (1899–1953), and Philip Guston (1913–1980).

Historical and Visual Context

  • Action Photography: Influence of high-speed photography and motion studies by Eadweard Muybridge (1830–1904) and Étienne-Jules Marey (1830–1904).
  • Exhibitions: Action Photography at MOMA (1943).
  • Film Context: Numerous documentaries recorded the movement, including Hans Namuth and Paul Falkenberg's Jackson Pollock (1951).