Reference list · Abstract Expressionist

Famous Abstract Expressionist Artists: Ranked List of 76

Jackson Pollock (1912–1956) is the most famous Abstract Expressionist artist in this list; notable works include One. Number 31, 1950 and Number 1, 1949. Ranks 2 to 5: Gerhard Richter, Willem de Kooning, Jasper Johns and Mark Rothko. The list records 76 artists born between 1857 (George Edgar Ohr) and 1966 (Ian Davenport) in 22 countries.

WikiOO.org encyclopedia editors

Method. Scope: artists whose works the encyclopedia records under Abstract Expressionist. Ranking: the encyclopedia's fame ranking of artists. Artists born after 1955 without a Wikidata identifier are excluded pending verification. Wikipedia: number of the encyclopedia's 32 languages with an article on the artist.

  1. One. Number 31, 1950 by Jackson Pollock1Jackson Pollock
  2. Motorboat by Gerhard Richter2Gerhard Richter
  3. Woman I by Willem de Kooning3Willem de Kooning

Summary

Abstract Expressionist: summary

  • 76Artists
  • 1857–1966Years of birth
  • 22Countries of birth
  • 13Women
  • 10Living artists
  • 3,800Works in our catalogue
Cities with most births
New York City (3), Pittsburgh (2), Cody (1), Dresden (1)
Museums holding the most key works
Whitney Museum of American Art (4), Art Institute of Chicago (3), Smithsonian American Art Museum (3), Buffalo AKG Art Museum (2)
The women of this list
Helen Frankenthaler, Lee Krasner, Etel Adnan, Ruth Asawa, Rochelle Reznik Blumenfeld, Alma Thomas, Grace Hartigan, Geta Brătescu, Hedda Sterne, Alice Rahon

Entries

Ranked entries: 76 Abstract Expressionist Artists

1of 76

Jackson Pollock 1912–1956

American Born: Cody Abstract Expressionism Wikipedia: 31/32 languages

Jackson Pollock

By 1947, a profound shift had taken hold in the way he approached the canvas. He was among the first American painters to be recognized as a peer of the great 20th-century European masters, proving that a new, visceral language could emerge from the soil of the United States.

Collections In New York City, the Museum of Modern Art holds several of his canvases, allowing viewers to stand before the sprawling, uncentered compositions that defined his era.

Notable works · 100 notable works

2of 76

Gerhard Richter born 1932

German Born: Dresden Wikipedia: 28/32 languages

Gerhard Richter

From 1957 to 1961, he remains within the academy's structure, working as a master trainee. His canvases have moved from the experimental spaces of Düsseldorf to the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Collections The physical presence of Richter’s practice spans major institutional collections across Europe.

Notable works · 100 notable works

3of 76

Willem de Kooning 1904–1997

Dutch-American Born: Rotterdam Abstract Expressionism Wikipedia: 30/32 languages

Willem de Kooning

From his teenage years until 1924, he attends these classes in Rotterdam, balancing the demands of work with the study of formal art. He moves through a landscape of ideas, absorbing the influence of Stuart Davis and John Graham, whose presence helps steer his vocabulary away from literal depiction.

Notable works · 100 notable works

5of 76

Mark Rothko 1903–1970

American Born: Daugavpils ['Color Field painting', 'Abstract Expressionism']

Mark Rothko

By 1940, he made the decision to change his name to Mark Rothko. His paintings are recognized as some of the most significant works of 20th-century art, often found in the permanent collections of major institutions like the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Tate Modern in London.

Collections To stand before his canvases is to experience the weight of color in a quiet room.

Notable works · 100 notable works

6of 76

Arshile Gorky 1904–1948

Armenian-American Born: Dilkaya Abstract Expressionism, Surrealism Wikipedia: 24/32 languages

Arshile Gorky

Seeking a different path, he enrolled in classes at the New England School of Art. The weight of Gorky's influence on Abstract Expressionism remains heavy.

Collections To see the physical traces of his hand, one might travel to Washington, D.C.

Notable works · 100 notable works

8of 76

Helen Frankenthaler 1928–2011

American Born: Manhattan Abstract Expressionism, Color Field Wikipedia: 19/32 languages

Helen Frankenthaler

She even ventured into theatrical design, creating sets and costumes for the Royal Ballet. Frankenthaler’s impact on the art world was recognized early in her career with inclusion in the influential “Fifteen Unknowns” exhibition in 1950 and her first solo show at Tibor de Nagy Gallery in 1951.

Student of Hans Hofmann #20

Notable works · 100 notable works

9of 76

Cy Twombly 1928–2011

American Born: Lexington Abstract Expressionism, Postmodern Wikipedia: 21/32 languages

Cy Twombly

His early works, such as the North African Sketchbooks (1953), already hinted at his unique blend of abstract forms and poetic references. He drew inspiration from a diverse range of sources—from the raw energy of Jean Dubuffet and Alberto Giacometti to the poetic sensibilities of Stéphane Mallarmé, Rainer Maria Rilke, and John Keats.

Student of Franz Kline #15, Robert Motherwell #14

Notable works · 100 notable works

11of 76

František Kupka 1871–1957

Czech Born: Opočno ['Realism', 'Symbolism', 'Orphism', 'Cubism', 'Abstraction'] Wikipedia: 24/32 languages

František Kupka

By 1906, he had settled in Puteaux, a suburb of Paris. His creative output is often viewed alongside the works of Piet Mondrian and Wassily Kandinsky, marking a shift toward a visual language that prioritized the interaction of color and shape over the depiction of the physical world.

Collections To see his canvases in person, one might travel to New York City.

Notable works · 100 notable works

12of 76

Lee Krasner 1908–1984

American Born: Brooklyn Abstract Expressionism Wikipedia: 17/32 languages

Lee Krasner

From her early days at Washington Irving High School for Girls, where a focused course in visual arts first ignited her creative spirit, to her rigorous training at Cooper Union’s Women's Art School, Krasner possessed a foundational discipline that would later serve as the bedrock for her most radical experiments.

Notable works · 100 notable works

13of 76

Hans Hartung 1904–1989

German-French Born: Leipzig Gestural Abstract Expressionism Wikipedia: 15/32 languages

Hans Hartung

Born in 1904 in the historic city of Leipzig, Germany, Hartung’s early consciousness was shaped by a deep reverence for the masters of light and shadow. His debut exhibition in Dresden in 1931 had already signaled the arrival of a major talent, but it was his later ability to bridge the gap between European abstraction and the burgeoning American lyrical abstraction movement that cemented his historical importance.

Notable works · 100 notable works

14of 76

Robert Motherwell 1915–1991

American Born: Aberdeen Abstract Expressionism Wikipedia: 16/32 languages

Robert Motherwell

The Surrealist Encounter: A pivotal moment arrived in 1940 when Motherwell relocated to New York City and enrolled at Columbia University under Meyer Shapiro’s guidance.

Teacher of Cy Twombly #9

Notable works · 100 notable works

15of 76

Franz Kline 1910–1962

American Born: Wilkes-Barre Abstract Expressionism Wikipedia: 17/32 languages

Franz Kline

De Kooning suggested projecting one of Kline’s sketches onto a wall using a Bell-Opticon projector – an act that dramatically enlarged and transformed the image, reducing it to its essential strokes. By the 1950s, Franz Kline had achieved significant recognition within the New York School—an informal group of artists including Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, Robert Motherwell, and Lee Krasner who were redefining American art.

Teacher of Cy Twombly #9

Notable works · 100 notable works

17of 76

Clyfford Still 1904–1980

American Born: Grandin Abstract Expressionism Wikipedia: 12/32 languages

Clyfford Still

The transformation from representational work to the radical abstraction for which Still is celebrated occurred between 1938 and 1942, a period of intense experimentation and self-discovery. Perhaps one of his most significant legacies is The Clyfford Still Museum in Denver, Colorado, which houses an extraordinary collection of over 3,125 works – representing 93 percent of his lifetime output and complete archives.

Notable works · 100 notable works

18of 76

Richard Diebenkorn 1922–1993

American Born: Portland ['Abstract Expressionism', 'Bay Area Figurative', 'Lyrical Abstraction'] Wikipedia: 9/32 languages

Richard Diebenkorn

Richard Diebenkorn, born in Portland, Oregon, in 1922, embarked on a journey that would establish him as one of the most significant American painters of the postwar era. A significant retrospective at the Pasadena Art Museum in 1960—later shown at the California Palace of the Legion of Honor in San Francisco—cemented his reputation as a leading figure in the art world.

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19of 76

Aaron Siskind 1903–1991

American Born: New York Abstract Expressionism

Aaron Siskind

Aaron Siskind, born in the vibrant heart of New York City in 1903, stands as a pivotal figure in American photography—a bridge between the documentary impulse and the burgeoning world of Abstract Expressionism. He spent two decades at the Illinois Institute of Technology (1951-1970), shaping the minds of aspiring photographers at its Institute of Design, and continued his teaching career at the Rhode Island School of Design (1971-1976) alongside Harry Callahan.

Notable works · 100 notable works

21of 76

Adolph Gottlieb 1903–1974

American Born: New York City Abstract Expressionism Wikipedia: 12/32 languages

Adolph Gottlieb

A crucial moment arrived in 1935 when Gottlieb joined forces with artists like Mark Rothko and John D. His work is now represented in major museum collections worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City and the Tate Modern in London—a testament to its enduring power and influence.

Notable works · 100 notable works

22of 76

Jean-Paul Riopelle 1923–2002

Canadian Born: Montreal Lyrical Abstraction Wikipedia: 14/32 languages

Jean-Paul Riopelle

Shift from Surrealism: After a brief association with the Surrealists, Riopelle moved towards Lyrical Abstraction, a style related to Abstract Expressionism. Riopelle was the first Canadian painter since James Wilson Morrice to achieve widespread international recognition.

Notable works · 100 notable works

23of 76

Yoo Youngkuk 1916–2002

Korean Born: Ulchin Abstract painting

Yoo Youngkuk

Following his participation in the São Paulo Biennial in 1963, Yoo experienced a period of artistic consolidation, withdrawing from group activities to focus on solo exhibitions held every other year for two decades. Exploring Yoo Youngkuk's masterpieces – such as “ Mountain ” or “ Work ”– at platforms like AllPaintingsStore.com offers a glimpse into the mind of a true pioneer, an artist who dared to break with tradition and forge a new path for Korean art.

Notable works · 100 notable works

24of 76

Ad Reinhardt 1913–1967

American Born: Buffalo Abstract Expressionism, Minimalism Wikipedia: 12/32 languages

Ad Reinhardt

Even his involvement in protests – against MoMA in the 1940s, with “The Irascibles” against the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the 1950s, and through a lithograph for Artists and Writers Protest Against the Vietnam War in 1967—demonstrated a commitment to artistic freedom and social responsibility.

Notable works · 100 notable works

26of 76

Paul Jenkins 1923–2012

American Born: Kansas City Abstract Expressionism

Paul Jenkins

His technique involved: Layered Pigmentation: The meticulous application of thin, translucent washes that create a sense of infinite depth. In the intellectual and creative crucible of both New York and Paris, Jenkins navigated the dynamic currents of mid-century modernism, establishing a studio practice that would redefine the boundaries of the medium through his revolutionary "phenomena" technique.

Notable works · 100 notable works

28of 76

Richard Art Hambleton 1952–2017

Canadian Born: Tofino Street art, Conceptual art

Richard Art Hambleton

He received an Advanced Diploma from the Emily Carr University of Art and Design in Vancouver, honing his skills in painting and printmaking before relocating to New York City in the late 1970s. He is widely considered a pioneer of public art, predating many later street artists by decades.

Notable works · 100 notable works

29of 76

George Ștefănescu-Râmnic 1914–2007

Romanian-German Born: Pǎlăneşti Expressionism, Fauvism, Abstract Expressionism

George Ștefănescu-Râmnic

By drawing inspiration from the folk arts of Romania while embracing the avant-garde movements of Europe, he created a body of work that remains a testament to the power of color to communicate the unspoken depths of the human experience.

Notable works · 100 notable works

31of 76

George Edgar Ohr 1857–1918

American Born: Biloxi Abstract Expressionism

George Edgar Ohr

George Edgar Ohr, a name synonymous with innovation and eccentricity in the world of American ceramics, was born on July 12, 1857, in the coastal city of Biloxi, Mississippi. After a restless youth spent trying various trades in New Orleans, he found himself apprenticed to Joseph Fortune Meyer, a potter with connections to the burgeoning Arts & Crafts movement.

Notable works · 100 notable works

32of 76

William Baziotes 1912–1963

American Born: Pittsburgh Abstract Expressionism Wikipedia: 8/32 languages

William Baziotes

Within the vibrant, often turbulent constellation of the New York School, few artists captured the ethereal boundary between the conscious mind and the primordial subconscious as poignantly as William Baziotes. Alongside luminaries such as Mark Rothko, Robert Motherwell, and David Hare, Baziotes co-founded the Subjects of the Artist School in 1948.

Notable works · 100 notable works

34of 76

Theodoros Stamos 1922–1997

Greek-American Born: New York City Abstract Expressionism Wikipedia: 8/32 languages

Theodoros Stamos

Furthermore, Stamos’s participation as one of “The Irascibles” – a group of Abstract Expressionist painters who publicly protested the Metropolitan Museum of Art's conservative policies towards American painting in 1950 – solidified his place within the movement and underscored his commitment to artistic independence. The influence of East Asian aesthetics, particularly Zen Buddhism and calligraphy, is evident in his Tea House Series, demonstrating an openness to non-Western traditions and their minimalist principles.

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37of 76

Ruth Asawa 1926–2013

American Born: Norwalk Modernism, Sculpture Wikipedia: 11/32 languages

Ruth Asawa

Initially intending to become a teacher, she enrolled at Milwaukee State Teachers College (now University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee) in 1943, only to encounter discrimination that prevented her from completing student teaching requirements due to her Japanese ancestry. This conviction led her to co-found the San Francisco School of the Arts in 1982, later renamed the Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts in 2010 – a testament to her dedication to arts education.

Notable works · 100 notable works

38of 76

Rochelle Reznik Blumenfeld born 1936

American Born: Pittsburgh Abstract Art

Rochelle Reznik Blumenfeld

Through these motifs, she explored how light plays upon surfaces, creating works like Skylights, where shadows and sudden illumination evoke the dramatic tension of a mountain landscape under a passing storm. As we reflect on her life and contributions, several key elements define her historical significance: The Fusion of Disciplines: Her unique ability to synthesize the rhythmic energy of dance with the organic structures of nature.

Notable works · 100 notable works

39of 76

Requena Nozal born 1947

Spanish Born: Zaragoza Encaustic & Abstract Expressionism

Requena Nozal

Requena Nozal, born in Zaragoza, Spain in 1947, stands as a singular figure within the landscape of contemporary Spanish art. Although he remains largely unknown outside specialist circles, Nozal’s artworks continue to captivate collectors and critics alike, cementing his place as a significant voice within the Spanish artistic landscape.

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41of 76

Grace Hartigan 1922–2008

American Born: Newark Abstract Expressionism Wikipedia: 8/32 languages

Grace Hartigan

Beyond these series, Hartigan also created deeply personal “Memorial Paintings,” abstract compositions commemorating the deaths of friends and family members—Martha Jackson, Franz Kline, Frank O’Hara, her father, and Winston Price—transforming grief into a powerful artistic statement. Grace Hartigan stands as a key figure in the second generation of American Abstract Expressionists, building upon the foundations laid by earlier pioneers while simultaneously forging her own unique path.

Notable works · 100 notable works

44of 76

Geta Brătescu 1926–2018

Romanian Born: Ploiesti Conceptual art, Performance art

Geta Brătescu

However, at the heart of this diverse output lay an unwavering fascination with the line. She served as artistic director of the influential Romanian literature and art magazine Secolul 21, and a major retrospective of her work was held at the National Museum of Art of Romania in 1999.

Notable works · 100 notable works

45of 76

Hedda Sterne 1910–2011

Romanian-American Born: Bucharest Abstract Expressionism, Surrealism Wikipedia: 8/32 languages

Hedda Sterne

Her formal training began in 1918 under the tutelage of Frederic Storck, a sculptor who had taught her instructor Max Hermann Maxy, setting her on a course that would see her engage with some of the most pivotal artistic currents of the twentieth century. While she achieved recognition during her lifetime, including exhibitions at prominent galleries and museums, Sterne’s work has gained increasing attention in recent years as scholars and curators reassess the contributions of women artists within the Abstract Expressionist movement.

Notable works · 100 notable works

46of 76

Alan Davie 1920–2014

Scottish Born: Grangemouth Zen Painting Style, Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism Wikipedia: 7/32 languages

Alan Davie

Born in Grangemouth, Scotland, Davie’s artistic journey began at Edinburgh College of Art in the late 1930s where he honed his skills before serving in World War II. He remains an influential artist whose work continues to inspire contemporary artists and collectors alike, embodying a spirit of experimentation and unwavering devotion to conveying profound symbolic meaning.

Notable works · 100 notable works

47of 76

George Stefanescu

George Stefanescu

However, Stefanescu quickly moved beyond mere imitation, developing a unique style characterized by softened forms, atmospheric perspective, and a restrained use of color. Early works reveal an engagement with Impressionism and Post-Impressionism – particularly the luminous palettes of Monet and Renoir, and the expressive brushwork of Van Gogh.

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48of 76

Sam Gilliam 1933–2022

American Born: Tupelo Color Field Painting Wikipedia: 3/32 languages

Sam Gilliam

Further back in art history, he found inspiration in the radical experimentation of Vladimir Tatlin, the geometric precision of Frank Stella, and the formal rigor of Hans Hofmann, Georges Braque, and Pablo Picasso. Harris Prize from the Art Institute of Chicago and received an Artist's Fellowship from the Washington Gallery of Modern Art.

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49of 76

James Brooks 1906–1992

American Born: St. Louis Abstract Expressionism Wikipedia: 6/32 languages

James Brooks

Shifted towards Abstract Expressionism, influenced by Surrealist principles. His work is held in prominent collections including the Art Institute of Chicago, The Museum of Modern Art, Tate Gallery, and National Gallery of Art.

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50of 76

Abraham Rattner 1893–1978

American Born: Poughkeepsie Expressionism, Surrealism Wikipedia: 4/32 languages

Abraham Rattner

Following the war, a Cresson Traveling Fellowship provided Rattner with the opportunity to return to France, this time not as a soldier, but as an artist seeking inspiration and honing his craft. The looming threat of Nazism forced Rattner's return to New York City in 1940.

Notable works · 100 notable works

52of 76

Milton Resnick 1917–2004

American Born: Bratslav Abstract Expressionism Wikipedia: 5/32 languages

Milton Resnick

His paintings are now held in numerous prestigious public collections, including the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the National Gallery of Art, the Museum of Modern Art (NYC), The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the National Gallery of Australia, and the Whitney Museum of American Art – a testament to his lasting impact on the art world.

Student of Hans Hofmann #20

Notable works · 100 notable works

53of 76

Alice Rahon 1904–1987

French/Mexican Born: Chenecey-Buillon Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism Wikipedia: 6/32 languages

Alice Rahon

A pivotal journey in 1939 alongside her husband, Austrian artist Wolfgang Paalen, and photographer Eva Sulzer, dramatically altered Rahon’s artistic trajectory. Rahon’s work, deeply rooted in both European Surrealism and Mexican indigenous traditions, played a crucial role in bridging these artistic worlds.

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56of 76

Norman Lewis 1909–1979

American Born: Harlem Abstract Expressionism Wikipedia: 4/32 languages

Norman Lewis

This early commitment led him to the Savage Studio of Arts and Crafts in Harlem, where Augusta Savage, a pioneering sculptor and teacher, became a crucial mentor. This commitment is reflected in works like Jazz Musicians (1948), which visually captures the energy and innovation of bebop music—a defining sound of Harlem’s postwar era.

Notable works · 100 notable works

57of 76

Chu Teh-Chun 1920–2014

Chinese-French Born: Baytu Abstract Expressionism Wikipedia: 4/32 languages

Chu Teh-Chun

In 1935, he enrolled at the National School of Fine Arts in Hangzhou (now China Academy of Art), a pivotal moment that set him on the path to becoming a professional artist. His 1956 oil painting "Portrait of Tung Ching-chao," a tribute to his wife, won a silver medal at the Paris Salon and was hailed by Wu Guanzhong as the “Mona Lisa of the East,” a testament to its emotional depth and artistic innovation.

Notable works · 100 notable works

59of 76

Tomie Ohtake 1913–2015

Japanese-Brazilian Born: Kyoto Informal abstractionism Wikipedia: 8/32 languages

Tomie Ohtake

tomie ohtake was the mother of architects ruy ohtake and ricardo ohtake. she passed away on february 12, 2015, at the age of 101, leaving behind a legacy in the world of visual art.

Notable works · 100 notable works

60of 76

Patrick Heron 1920–1999

British Born: Headingley Abstract Expressionism Wikipedia: 4/32 languages

Patrick Heron

He stands as a leading figure in the development of abstraction, bridging the gap between European modernism and American Abstract Expressionism while forging his own unique path.

Notable works · 100 notable works

61of 76

Nicola De Maria born 1954

Italian Born: Foglianise Transavanguardia Wikipedia: 5/32 languages

Nicola De Maria

His 1980 Venice Biennale contribution, “Space Paintings,” further solidified his reputation as a pioneer in this medium. His art is held in prestigious collections worldwide, including those of the Castello di Rivoli Museo d'Arte Contemporanea in Turin and the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam.

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62of 76

Ian Davenport born 1966

English Born: Sidcup Abstract painter Wikipedia: 4/32 languages

Ian Davenport

As an English abstract painter and a former Turner Prize nominee, his presence in the British art scene was solidified early on, notably through his participation in the seminal Freeze exhibition at Surrey Docks, organized by Damien Hirst. University Commissions: Significant installations such as the West End Wall of the University of Oxford Department of Biochemistry and a wall painting for the Institute of Mathematics and Statistics at Warwick University.

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66of 76

John Hoyland 1934–2011

British Born: Sheffield Abstract Expressionism Wikipedia: 3/32 languages

John Hoyland

Major retrospectives at the Serpentine Gallery (1979), the Royal Academy (1999), and Tate St Ives (2006) cemented his position as a leading figure in British art. His artistic lineage was broad, encompassing admiration for masters like Matisse, Van Gogh, Rouault, and Chaïm Soutine alongside the American giants who had so captivated him.

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68of 76

Fritz Bultman 1919–1985

American Born: New Orleans Abstract Expressionism Wikipedia: 1/32 languages

Fritz Bultman

Born in 1919 in the culturally rich landscape of New Orleans, Bultman’s early life was steeped in an environment where visual aesthetics and tradition intertwined. By signing this historic letter alongside giants like Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko, Bultman helped assert the legitimacy of modernism in the American consciousness.

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69of 76

Frank Hinder 1906–1992

Australian Born: Summer Hill Modernism, Abstract Art Wikipedia: 2/32 languages

Frank Hinder

modernist sculpture: hinder's work in this area is considered a benchmark for australian modernism. art education: as an art teacher, he influenced generations of artists, shaping the country's artistic landscape.

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70of 76

Eugene Grigsby, Jr. 1918–2013

American Born: Greensboro Abstract/Expressionism Wikipedia: 2/32 languages

Eugene Grigsby, Jr.

Born in Greensboro, North Carolina, in 1918, Jefferson Eugene Grigsby Jr., later known simply as J.E.

Notable works · 100 notable works

73of 76

Maurice Cockrill 1936–2013

British Born: Hartlepool Pop Realism, Romantic Expressionism Wikipedia: 1/32 languages

Maurice Cockrill

Influenced by artists like Sam Walsh and Adrian Henri, who were also active within the city's artistic circles, Cockrill embraced Pop Realism and Photo- Realism, capturing the everyday details of Liverpool life with startling clarity and emotional intensity. He was also a visiting artist at Vermont Studio Centre, fostering collaborations with artists from around the world.

Notable works · 100 notable works

74of 76

Claudio Verna born 1937

Italian Born: Guardiagrele Pittura Analitica, Minimalism

Claudio Verna

His early life, marked by a family relocation to Foligno in Umbria, instilled within him a deep appreciation for the region’s rich cultural heritage and landscape—elements that subtly permeate his later work despite its abstract nature. His work has been showcased at prestigious venues including the Venice Biennale (1970 and 1980), and retrospectives have graced museums in Gibellina, Spoleto, Ferrara, Conegliano, Treviso, L’Aquila, and Milan's Mudima Foundation.

Notable works · 100 notable works

75of 76

Gary Wragg born 1946

British Born: High Wycombe Abstract color field

Gary Wragg

He employs broad, sweeping brushstrokes to build layers of color—often utilizing a restricted palette of blues, greens, yellows, and reds—that coalesce into luminous fields. Wragg’s paintings are characterized by a deliberate simplicity and an avoidance of overt gestures.

Notable works · 100 notable works

Notable works

Notable Abstract Expressionist works

  1. One. Number 31, 1950 by Jackson Pollock

    One. Number 31, 1950

    Jackson Pollock

  2. Motorboat by Gerhard Richter

    Motorboat

    Gerhard Richter

    1965

  3. Woman I by Willem de Kooning

    Woman I

    Willem de Kooning

    1952

  4. Flag by Jasper Johns

    Flag

    Jasper Johns

  5. Violet, Black, Orange, Yellow on White and Red by Mark Rothko

    Violet, Black, Orange, Yellow on White and Red

    Mark Rothko

    1949

  6. The Artist with His Mother by Arshile Gorky

    The Artist with His Mother

    Arshile Gorky

    1936 · Whitney Museum of American Art, New York

  7. Untitled by Alexander Calder

    Untitled

    Alexander Calder

    Biennale Internazionale dell'Antiquariato di Firenze, Florence

  8. 100100 notable Abstract Expressionist paintings

Chronology

Chronology of notable works

  1. 1929
    PH-616 by Clyfford Still
    PH-616Clyfford Still
  2. 1936
    The Artist with His Mother by Arshile Gorky
    The Artist with His MotherArshile Gorky
  3. 1947
    Untitled by Jean-Paul Riopelle
    UntitledJean-Paul Riopelle
  4. 1949
    Violet, Black, Orange, Yellow on White and Red by Mark Rothko
    Violet, Black, Orange, Yellow on White and RedMark Rothko
  5. 1950
    Vir Heroicus Sublimis by Barnett Newman
    Vir Heroicus SublimisBarnett Newman
  6. 1951
    Hudson River Landscape by David Smith
    Hudson River LandscapeDavid Smith
  7. 1952
    Mountains and Sea by Helen Frankenthaler
    Mountains and SeaHelen Frankenthaler
  8. 1958
    Iberia by Robert Motherwell
    IberiaRobert Motherwell
  9. 1961
    Palladio by Franz Kline
    PalladioFranz Kline
  10. 1966
    Cold Stream by Cy Twombly
    Cold StreamCy Twombly
  11. 1967
    Signs by Adolph Gottlieb
    SignsAdolph Gottlieb
  12. 1968
    The Afterthought of Dante's Inferno by Bernie Casey
    The Afterthought of Dante's InfernoBernie Casey
  13. 1985
    Burning Merit by Richard Art Hambleton
    Burning MeritRichard Art Hambleton
  14. 1992
    Illumination by Shakir Hassan Al-Said
    IlluminationShakir Hassan Al-Said

Statistics

Statistics

Country of birth
United States32
United Kingdom7
Germany4
United States of America4
Romania3
Netherlands2
People's Republic of China2
Canada2
Decade of birth
1850s1
1870s1
1880s2
1890s5
1900s17
1910s14
1920s18
1930s9
1940s3
1950s3
1960s1
Museums holding their key works
Whitney Museum of American Art4
Art Institute of Chicago3
Smithsonian American Art Museum3
Buffalo AKG Art Museum2
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum2
Detroit Institute of Arts2
MOMA - Museum of Modern Art2
Bavarian State Painting Collections2

Index

List of 76 Abstract Expressionist artists

  1. 1Jackson PollockJackson PollockAmerican · 1912–1956
  2. 2Gerhard RichterGerhard RichterGerman · born 1932
  3. 3Willem de KooningWillem de KooningDutch-American · 1904–1997
  4. 4Jasper JohnsJasper JohnsAmerican · born 1930
  5. 5Mark RothkoMark RothkoAmerican · 1903–1970
  6. 6Arshile GorkyArshile GorkyArmenian-American · 1904–1948
  7. 7Alexander CalderAlexander CalderScottish-American · 1898–1976
  8. 8Helen FrankenthalerHelen FrankenthalerAmerican · 1928–2011
  9. 9Cy TwomblyCy TwomblyAmerican · 1928–2011
  10. 10Barnett NewmanBarnett NewmanAmerican · 1905–1970
  11. 11František KupkaFrantišek KupkaCzech · 1871–1957
  12. 12Lee KrasnerLee KrasnerAmerican · 1908–1984
  13. 13Hans HartungHans HartungGerman-French · 1904–1989
  14. 14Robert MotherwellRobert MotherwellAmerican · 1915–1991
  15. 15Franz KlineFranz KlineAmerican · 1910–1962
  16. 16Zao Wou-KiZao Wou-Ki1920–2013
  17. 17Clyfford StillClyfford StillAmerican · 1904–1980
  18. 18Richard DiebenkornRichard DiebenkornAmerican · 1922–1993
  19. 19Aaron SiskindAaron SiskindAmerican · 1903–1991
  20. 20Hans HofmannHans HofmannGerman-American · 1880–1966
  21. 21Adolph GottliebAdolph GottliebAmerican · 1903–1974
  22. 22Jean-Paul RiopelleJean-Paul RiopelleCanadian · 1923–2002
  23. 23Yoo YoungkukYoo YoungkukKorean · 1916–2002
  24. 24Ad ReinhardtAd ReinhardtAmerican · 1913–1967
  25. 25Mark TobeyMark TobeyAmerican · 1890–1976
  26. 26Paul JenkinsPaul JenkinsAmerican · 1923–2012
  27. 27Etel AdnanEtel AdnanAmerican · 1925–2021
  28. 28Richard Art HambletonRichard Art HambletonCanadian · 1952–2017
  29. 29George Ștefănescu-RâmnicGeorge Ștefănescu-RâmnicRomanian-German · 1914–2007
  30. 30Daan LemaireDaan LemaireDutch · born 1942
  31. 31George Edgar OhrGeorge Edgar OhrAmerican · 1857–1918
  32. 32William BaziotesWilliam BaziotesAmerican · 1912–1963
  33. 33David SmithDavid SmithUnited States · 1906–1965
  34. 34Theodoros StamosTheodoros StamosGreek-American · 1922–1997
  35. 35Shakir Hassan Al-SaidShakir Hassan Al-Said1925–2004
  36. 36Bernie CaseyBernie CaseyAmerican · 1939–2017
  37. 37Ruth AsawaRuth AsawaAmerican · 1926–2013
  38. 38Rochelle Reznik BlumenfeldRochelle Reznik BlumenfeldAmerican · born 1936
  39. 39Requena NozalRequena NozalSpanish · born 1947
  40. 40Alma ThomasAlma Thomas1891–1978
  41. 41Grace HartiganGrace HartiganAmerican · 1922–2008
  42. 42Norman BluhmNorman Bluhm1921–1999
  43. 43Yi EungroYi EungroKorean-French · 1904–1989
  44. 44Geta BrătescuGeta BrătescuRomanian · 1926–2018
  45. 45Hedda SterneHedda SterneRomanian-American · 1910–2011
  46. 46Alan DavieAlan DavieScottish · 1920–2014
  47. 47George StefanescuGeorge Stefanescu
  48. 48Sam GilliamSam GilliamAmerican · 1933–2022
  49. 49James BrooksJames BrooksAmerican · 1906–1992
  50. 50Abraham RattnerAbraham RattnerAmerican · 1893–1978
  51. 51Jack ArmstrongJack Armstrong
  52. 52Milton ResnickMilton ResnickAmerican · 1917–2004
  53. 53Alice RahonAlice RahonFrench/Mexican · 1904–1987
  54. 54Fernando de SzyszloFernando de SzyszloPeruvian · 1925–2017
  55. 55Beauford DelaneyBeauford DelaneyFrench · 1901–1979
  56. 56Norman LewisNorman LewisAmerican · 1909–1979
  57. 57Chu Teh-ChunChu Teh-ChunChinese-French · 1920–2014
  58. 58Terry FrostTerry FrostBritish · 1915–2003
  59. 59Tomie OhtakeTomie OhtakeJapanese-Brazilian · 1913–2015
  60. 60Patrick HeronPatrick HeronBritish · 1920–1999
  61. 61Nicola De MariaNicola De MariaItalian · born 1954
  62. 62Ian DavenportIan DavenportEnglish · born 1966
  63. 63Anne RyanAnne RyanAmerican · 1889–1954
  64. 64Melvin EdwardsMelvin EdwardsAmerican · 1937–2026
  65. 65Ulfert WilkeUlfert WilkeGerman-American · 1907–1987
  66. 66John HoylandJohn HoylandBritish · 1934–2011
  67. 67Carl Gustaf NelsonCarl Gustaf NelsonAmerican · 1898–1988
  68. 68Fritz BultmanFritz BultmanAmerican · 1919–1985
  69. 69Frank HinderFrank HinderAustralian · 1906–1992
  70. 70Eugene Grigsby, Jr.Eugene Grigsby, Jr.American · 1918–2013
  71. 71Taro YamamotoTaro Yamamoto1919–1994
  72. 72Rosemarie BeckRosemarie BeckAmerican · 1923–2003
  73. 73Maurice CockrillMaurice CockrillBritish · 1936–2013
  74. 74Claudio VernaClaudio VernaItalian · born 1937
  75. 75Gary WraggGary WraggBritish · born 1946
  76. 76Yasha CyrinskiYasha CyrinskiBritish · born 1959

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Articles

Encyclopedia articles

Expressionism vs. Abstract Expressionism: Distinguishing the Two MovementsDistinguishing the Styles: Bay Area Figurative vs. Abstract ExpressionismSocialist Realism vs. Abstract Expressionism: Two Visions of the Mid-CenturyAbstract Expressionism vs. Pop Art: A Comparison of Two American Movements

See also

Artists of other movements

Night Watch by RembrandtFamous Baroque artistsNight Watch · RembrandtThe Gleaners by Jean-François MilletFamous Contemporary Realist artistsThe Gleaners · Jean-François MilletStarry Night (New York, MoMA) by Vincent van GoghFamous Impressionist artistsStarry Night (New York, MoMA) · Vincent van GoghSaturn Devouring His Son by Francisco GoyaFamous Romanticist artistsSaturn Devouring His Son · Francisco GoyaThe Death of Marat by Jacques-Louis DavidFamous Neoclassicist artistsThe Death of Marat · Jacques-Louis DavidThe origin of the world by Gustave CourbetFamous Realist artistsThe origin of the world · Gustave CourbetMona Lisa (La Gioconda) by Leonardo da VinciFamous Renaissance artistsMona Lisa (La Gioconda) · Leonardo da VinciThe Girl with a Pearl Earring by Johannes VermeerFamous Dutch Golden Age artistsThe Girl with a Pearl Earring · Johannes VermeerComposition VII by Wassily KandinskyFamous Expressionist artistsComposition VII · Wassily KandinskyThe Embarkation for Cythera by Jean-Antoine WatteauFamous Rococo artistsThe Embarkation for Cythera · Jean-Antoine Watteau

See also

Artists of other periods

Snowy River by Wang WeiFamous Early Medieval artistsSnowy River · Wang WeiMadonna in Maest (Ognissanti Madonna) by GiottoFamous High Medieval artistsMadonna in Maest (Ognissanti Madonna) · GiottoThe Annunciation and Two Saints by Simone MartiniFamous Late Medieval artistsThe Annunciation and Two Saints · Simone MartiniThe Creation of Adam by MichelangeloFamous Renaissance artistsThe Creation of Adam · MichelangeloThe Calling of Saint Matthew by CaravaggioFamous Early Modern artistsThe Calling of Saint Matthew · CaravaggioWater Lilies (or Nympheas) by Claude MonetFamous 19th Century artistsWater Lilies (or Nympheas) · Claude MonetGuernica by Pablo PicassoFamous Modern artistsGuernica · Pablo PicassoWind Sculpture III (one in a series of nine) by Yinka ShonibareFamous Contemporary artistsWind Sculpture III (one in a series of nine) · Yinka Shonibare

Famous paintings

Lists of famous paintings by movement

Water Lilies by Claude MonetFamous Impressionism paintingsWater Lilies · Claude MonetLas Meninas by Diego VelázquezFamous Baroque paintingsLas Meninas · Diego VelázquezLiberty Leading the People by Eugène DelacroixFamous Romanticism paintingsLiberty Leading the People · Eugène DelacroixNighthawks by Edward HopperFamous Realism paintingsNighthawks · Edward HopperStarry Night by Vincent van GoghFamous Post-Impressionism paintingsStarry Night · Vincent van GoghThe Scream by Edvard MunchFamous Expressionism paintingsThe Scream · Edvard MunchThe Persistence of Memory by Salvador DalíFamous Surrealism paintingsThe Persistence of Memory · Salvador DalíNapoleon at the St. Bernard Pass by Jacques-Louis DavidFamous Neoclassicism paintingsNapoleon at the St. Bernard Pass · Jacques-Louis DavidMona Lisa by Leonardo da VinciFamous Renaissance paintingsMona Lisa · Leonardo da VinciThe Birth of Venus by William-Adolphe BouguereauFamous Symbolism paintingsThe Birth of Venus · William-Adolphe BouguereauBurial of the Count of Orgaz by El GrecoFamous Mannerism paintingsBurial of the Count of Orgaz · El GrecoThe Swing by Jean-Honoré FragonardFamous Rococo paintingsThe Swing · Jean-Honoré Fragonard

See also

Related lists

The 100 most famous artists of all time The 100 most famous paintings of all time Top 100 artists by movement