Franz Kline

A detailed Summary of Franz Kline

Among the leading painters of post-World War II Abstract Expressionist

movement, Franz Kline developed his own highly personal form of art based more on

"spontaneous expression in abstract design of the artist's psychic states."1 Abstract

expressionism saw representation as the exact opposite of their main aim in painting.

"Formal issues" such as color, lines, and shapes without recognizable representation is

what Kline, like many other abstract expressionists, strove to portray in their paintings.

They were individuals that were foraging their own way into the art world. Mainly an

artist of impact, Kline's work was forceful and boldly dramatic, which characterized his

aggressiveness and raw energy. Best known for his robust black-and-white abstractions,

his zealous brushwork seemed to manifest the energy and gestures produced in the act of

painting. In this paper I will argue how Kline's unique form, also referred to as action

painting, was affected by his background and other artists, how his work was not

influenced or represented Chinese calligraphy, and why he should be set aside from other

The Pennsylvania native originally was a representational painter, that used a style

first one-man show of abstract black-and-white paintings. Held at the Egan Gallery in

Similar artists such as William de Kooning and Jackson Pollack helped pave the road

completely influenced by this new form of abstraction, especially how he used the

style himself. "He was recognized as the leader of a "second generation" of Abstract

i.e., qualities of brushstroke and texture; the use of huge canvases; the adoption of an

There were also many rumors that Oriental calligraphy had a major influence upon

What really made him stand out was the direct relationship he had with his paintings and

Approximate Word count = 1673
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Arts

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