What is it?
Abstract Expressionism A combination of abstract art and Expressionism
which amounts to little more than automatic painting — i.e. allowing the
subconscious to express itself (a Surrealist idea) by the creation of involuntary
shapes and dribbles of paint. Abstract Impressionism — which appears to be
another name for the same thing - is supposed to derive from the intricate
mesh of paint which forms the surface of Monet's last pictures, as, half-blind,
he struggled to find pictorial equivalents for his optical sensations. Abstract
Impressionism has been defined (by E. De Kooning, 1956) thus: 'Retaining
the quiet uniform pattern of strokes that spread over the canvas without climax
or emphasis, these followers keep the Impressionist manner of looking at a
scene but leave out the scene.' action painting; Tachisme.
Source: The Penguin Dictionary of Art and Artists (Penguin Reference Books)
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