
Abstract Expressionism
The American painters known as abstract expressionists developed a new kind of painting during the 1940s and ’50s. Their works were characterized by abstract imagery and subject matter that was full of allusions. They created dramatic, often monumental compositions with sweeping brushwork and fields of color.
Explore more

Article: George Morrison Gets His Due
The Minnesota painter merged abstract expressionism with traditional Ojibwe values.

Article: Your Tour of Women Artists at the National Gallery
See these 10 works by trailblazing women artists during your next visit.

Article: How Mark Rothko Made Paintings on Paper
Mark Rothko made more than 1,000 paintings on paper. Get an inside look at his methods and materials.

Article: Artists Who Inspired Mark Rothko
Learn about some of the artists the modern painter was in dialogue with throughout his career.

Article: Who Is Mark Rothko? 9 Things to Know
Brush up on key and unexpected details about the modern artist, best known for his colorful abstract paintings.

Article: Who Is Philip Guston? 10 Things to Know
Get up to speed on one of the most influential American modern artists.
You may also like

Painting
Since ancient times, artists have made paintings to tell stories or capture beauty. They’ve used egg tempera, oil, and more recently acrylic to create compositions of all shapes and sizes. The results include radiant altarpieces, striking portraits, luminous landscapes, and abstract expressions.

Blue
Artists turn to the color blue to conjure depth, mood, and atmosphere. It recalls both the sky and the sea. But blue pigment was sometimes costly. Ultramarine blue was made from lapis lazuli, a semiprecious stone mined in what is now Afghanistan. For centuries of Western art, it was reserved solely for painting the Virgin Mary’s cloak.