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Joan Mitchell: Paintings 1950 to 1955
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1999
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January 22, 2015
I was looking for Joan Mitchell's illustrations for Frank O'Hara's poems. This book came up in my library search. It does have poetry from Frank O'Hara, but more in the manner of O'Hara speaking or reacting to Mitchell.
But the art is very enlightening. These are Mitchell's very first paintings after getting her MFA at the Art Institute of Chicago in 1950. Not the Joan Mitchell that comes to mind when you think of her in 2015.
The first paintings, as the curator points out, are very reminiscent of Duchamp's "Nude Descending a Staircase". There is a gradual movement in a few years to more linear abstraction and more empty space, but the colors remain dark, brooding, earthy. I like especially the densely-centered paintings of 1954-1955.
"...About abstract art--I like it--I'll paint what I want--that's all--..."
And so she did.
But the art is very enlightening. These are Mitchell's very first paintings after getting her MFA at the Art Institute of Chicago in 1950. Not the Joan Mitchell that comes to mind when you think of her in 2015.
The first paintings, as the curator points out, are very reminiscent of Duchamp's "Nude Descending a Staircase". There is a gradual movement in a few years to more linear abstraction and more empty space, but the colors remain dark, brooding, earthy. I like especially the densely-centered paintings of 1954-1955.
"...About abstract art--I like it--I'll paint what I want--that's all--..."
And so she did.
Displaying 1 of 1 review