Willem de Kooning

Woman 1 1950-1952

http://www.moma.org/wp/moma_learning/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/478_1953_CCCR-303×395.jpg

Formal Analysis:  There appears to be a human with diamond shaped eyes.  The arms and legs are not well defined.  There are circular objects on the chest which possibly represent breasts and a second set of eyes above the right shoulder.  The contrast between multiple colors surrounding the person and the light grey of the upper body and face draw the viewer to the center of the painting.

Biographical and Psychological Analysis:  Willem de Kooning was born in the Netherlands in 1902 and dropped out of school at the age of 12 to pursue his career in art.  He moved to the United States in 1926 finally calling New York home.  Initially, de Kooning painted still figures and was given the opportunity to paint a federal art project.  He was very successful with this project, but was forced to resign due to his lack of US citizenship.  He returned to his abstract works.  De Kooning was married in 1943 to his apprentice.  Their marriage was filled with alcohol induced rage.  They separated in the late 1950s only to reunite 20 years later.

In Woman 1 de Kooning used newspaper on his canvas while painting so that the paint would last longer.  He worked on Woman 1 for two years constently working the paint on the canvas.  He would cut out women’s lips from magazines and place them on the painting.  Woman 1 depicts an angry female figure with exaggerated breasts and small head.  It is evident that there is passion within this piece with aggressive lines.  Knowing the background of de Kooning’s relationship with his wife and alcohol explains the confusion represented in this painting.

My Interpretation and Opinion:  I believe Woman 1 represents the chaotic marriage of de Kooning and his wife.  He finds her sexual which is evident in the large breasts.  There is also anger in her face possibly due to the alcohol induced arguments they had together.  I see it as a love/hate relationship.  He worked on the piece for 2 years changing the look of the work possibly due to his consent changing feelings of his marriage.

My initial feeling to Woman 1 was full of chaos and confusion.  I was not sure if the figure was a woman or a man and why it was so ugly and angry.  It was difficult to see what the artist wanted the viewer to know.  This piece of work could have a strong connection to someone who lived a life of uncertainty in life and love.  After researching de Kooning and Woman 1, I have a better understanding of the piece of art.  I have respect for the artist and work, but I do not find it appealing.

https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-art-history/later-europe-and-americas/modernity-ap/v/willem-de-kooning-woman-i-1950-52#!

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2002/aug/24/art

http://www.theartstory.org/artist-de-kooning-willem-artworks.htm#pnt_4