A Moment of Respite: Canal by Helen Frankenthaler

March 27, 2020 12:04 PM

Let it flow, let it flow. A wonderful piece by Helen Frankenthaler.

'As an active painter for nearly six decades, Frankenthaler went through a variety of phases and stylistic shifts.Initially associated with abstract expressionism because of her focus on forms latent in nature, Frankenthaler is identified with the use of fluid shapes, abstract masses, and lyrical gestures.She made use of large formats on which she painted, generally, simplified abstract compositions.Her style is notable in its emphasis on spontaneity, as Frankenthaler herself stated, "A really good picture looks as if it's happened at once."'

Here's an awesome picture of Helen.

Her paintings are BIG.

Here's a nice video.

Frankenthaler Foundation site

posted by ecorrocio (7 comments total)

This exhibit of select Frankenthaler paintings at the Gagosian in Rome last year was stunning to see in person, Sea Change: A Decade of Paintings, 1974–1983.
posted by josephtate at 12:17 PM on March 27, 2020

Love Frankenthaler. Thanks for this!
posted by grimjeer at 12:26 PM on March 27, 2020

I suppose this is true of most painters, but you really have to see her work in person. Description of her painting in the main link (a puddle of paint!) makes this pretty clear. Frankenthaler's paintings stuck with me the most from a show of women Abstract Expressionists I saw last year.
posted by kozad at 1:44 PM on March 27, 2020 [2 favorites]

Yeah, I hadn't heard of Frankenthaler before this and was unimpressed by the first couple of thumbnail images I saw. But once I saw the sheer scale of her work, it takes on a whole new meaning. I'd love to see some of these in person!
posted by mmoncur at 10:18 PM on March 27, 2020

I adore her work! My car is named after her (and Helen Hopekirk). Her works breathes and soothes, beats and moves. Just incredible.
posted by missmary6 at 11:54 AM on March 28, 2020 [1 favorite]

The Norton Simon has an entry wall that is huge, and light drenched, with stone floors, and which leads from a garden into another garden. There is a large Frankenthaler, which is mostly a sqaure the colour of melted orange sherbert floating on a field of slightly dingy ochre. In that space, those are the two most perfect colours together.
posted by PinkMoose at 12:18 PM on March 28, 2020 [2 favorites]

Thank you, fantastic work. YouTube slideshow of some more works here.
posted by blue shadows at 2:26 AM on March 29, 2020