Post Painterly Abstraction
Post Painterly Abstraction is an art movement that emerged in the United States during the 1960s as a reaction against Abstract Expressionism. This movement was characterized by a simplification of form, a greater emphasis on color and brushwork, and a rejection of the gestural and emotionally charged style of Abstract Expressionism. Post Painterly Abstraction is a subset of Pop Art and Postwar Art, both of which were concerned with exploring new modes of representation in the aftermath of World War II. In contrast to Pop Art's focus on popular culture and mass-produced imagery, however, Post Painterly Abstraction was more concerned with exploring the properties of paint and color on a flat surface. Artists associated with this movement include Helen Frankenthaler, Morris Louis, Jules Olitski, and Kenneth Noland. These artists developed techniques such as staining unprimed canvas with thin washes of paint, allowing the color to pool and create fluid forms that emphasized the flatness of the picture plane. Post Painterly Abstraction represented a shift towards a more rational and objective approach to art-making, in contrast to the subjective and emotive style of Abstract Expressionism. It was also seen as a way of reasserting American art's relevance on the international stage, following the dominance of European modernism in the early 20th century. In summary, Post Painterly Abstraction is a subcategory of Pop Art and Postwar Art that emerged in the United States during the 1960s. It was characterized by a simplification of form, an emphasis on color and brushwork, and a rejection of gestural abstraction. The movement represented a shift towards a more objective and rational approach to art-making, and was seen as a way of asserting American art's relevance in the international arena.