The 1952 exhibition of Mountains and Sea launched the artistic career of Helen Frankenthaler, marking the emergence of a major figure in postwar American painting. Over six decades, she maintained a consistent presence in international galleries, evolving through diverse phases while contributing significantly to the progression of abstract expressionism and the color field movement.
Formative Years and Education
Born in 1928 in Manhattan, Frankenthaler was encouraged to pursue professional work within a cultured environment. She attended the Dalton School and later Bennington College in Vermont, where she studied under Paul Feeley. Her foundational training also included private instruction with Wallace Harrison and Hans Hofmann in 1950, while she refined her technical skills at the Art Students League of New York.
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Frankenthaler developed the soak stain technique, which involved diluting oil paints with turpentine and applying them directly to unprimed canvas. This method achieved a translucent, watercolor-like effect that emphasized the surface flatness of the work. Influenced by Jackson Pollock, she frequently placed her canvases on the floor to paint. She later transitioned to acrylics to improve the longevity of her pieces.
Professional Recognition and Membership
Included in the 1964 Post-Painterly Abstraction exhibition, her work gained significant critical attention throughout the mid-twentieth century. She held numerous professional roles, including teaching at Hunter College. Her contributions were recognized through memberships in the Royal Academy of Arts, the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, alongside receiving the National Medal of Arts in 2001.
Fast facts
- Born: 1928, Manhattan
- Died: 2011, Darien
- Education: Bennington College, Hans Hoffman School of Fine Art, Art Students League of New York
- Primary Movements: Abstract Expressionism, Color Field
- Notable Work: Mountains and Sea
- National Medal of Arts: 2001
- Connecticut Women's Hall of Fame: 2005
- Occupations: Painter, sculptor, printmaker, draftsperson, lithographer
Questions readers ask
What is the soak stain technique?
It is a method where heavily diluted paint is applied to unprimed canvas, allowing the pigment to soak into the fibers rather than sitting on top.
Where did Helen Frankenthaler reside later in life?
She maintained a home and studio in Darien, Connecticut.
Achievements
- National Medal of Arts
- Notable work: Mountains and Sea
- Movement: abstract expressionism and Color Field
