Abstract impressionism

The term was introduced by the American artist and critic Helen de Kooning, this definition was later used by other art critics.

Abstract Impressionism is a modern art movement within abstractionism, the main element of which is a confident pasty brushstroke applied with a brush or palette knife, which is not further corrected. Also, paints can be applied quickly and randomly. The artistic methods of abstract impressionism are close to lyrical abstraction, which does not pursue the application of separately adjacent strokes or planes. A common feature is the lack of objectivity and figurativeness, only small ephemeral allusions to this are present. The viewer independently thinks out and develops the plot, skillful abstractions allow us to look through the misted window onto the street, we can hardly determine the aerial perspective, the trees, the flowers in the flower bed. It is worth saying that this art movement definitely has an intellectual and artistic character, since the artist creates expressive skillful abstractions, thinking through each brushstroke in advance, while the paintings are characterized by imitation of objects of reality, but visual perception is on the verge of “yes, and no”.

Key artists: Milton Resnick, Sam Francis, Richard Pousette-Dart, Patrick Heron.

Key works:

Big Red. 1953. Sam Francis.

Blue Prescence. 1970. Richard Pousette-Dart.

Straw. 1982. Milton Resnick.