Expressionism Info. Abstract Expressionism

Expressionism is usually referred to the art works that represent reality distorted and transformed. This style of representation influenced not visual arts only but literature, painting and sculpture also. The movement was developed with the help of such artists as El Greco, Grünewald, Goya,Van Gogh, and Munch. The rejection of events depiction in logical sense makes expressionism a revolt against realism and naturalism. The style known as expressionist is most often associated with a group of early 20th-century German dramatists, including Kaiser, Toller, and Wedekind. In spite of the fact that the group failed to exist long it's activity gave impetus to a free form of writing and of production in modern theater. As it was mentioned above the movement impacted various areas of life, and in 1907 expressionism playlet «Mörder, Hoffnung der Frauen» was written. This expressionism play published in 1910 in «Der Sturm» became to be regarded as the first expressionist play.

In all the spheres, arts, literature, etc., the goal of the movement is show the truth within, proclaiming man's aspirations, hopes, and fears. In literature, this effect is often achieved by frequent omission of verbs and articles. This literature style can be characterized as ecstatic, minatory, satirical, grotesque. The peak of the movement was in the 1914-18 and in the early 1920s it experienced decline. However, it didn't vanished forever, it's traces of expressionism style exist in different forms of contemporary artworks.

Abstract Expressionism

Usually, this term is referred to American painting of the 1940s and 1950s, which is also known as the New York School. In terms of abstract expressionism, one can also come across with such style as «action painting». The works of abstract expressionists are characterized as emotional or expressive, no matter whether it is painting, sculpture, photography, etc. In fact, this style was regarded as «American» style which was the first significant visual art that attained international status and influence.

Nonrepresentational framework is also characteristic to abstract expressionism in addition to it's expressive violence. Greater attention is paid to such qualities as brushstroke, texture, canvases size. The visual communication is achieved due to the glorification of the act of painting itself. Among the most well-known names of the abstract expressionism period are Clyfford Still, Theodoros Stamos, Adolph Gottlieb, Helen Frankenthaler, Lee Krasner, and Esteban Vicente.

If you are eager to get some aesthetic pleasure you are welcomed at the online gallery of Valeriy Klinkov, the follower of the major art movements of the XXth century. The gallery features the works of the contemporary artist which are available for sale also.