Adolph Gottlieb (1903-1974) was an American abstract expressionist painter, sculptor, and graphic artist, hailed as one of the “first generation” of Abstract Expressionists. Born in New York City, Gottlieb made significant contributions to the modern art movement, especially in the post-World War II era in the United States.
Gottlieb’s early work leaned towards figuration, influenced by African and Native American motifs. As he progressed, his style became more abstract, characterized by bold colors, simple shapes, and universal symbols. His best-known series include the “Pictographs,” which employed a matrix of grid-like compartments filled with symbolic shapes, and the “Burst” series, which juxtaposed soft, cloud-like forms with sharp, jagged strokes.
He was deeply affected by the Surrealists, particularly their concept of deriving art from the unconscious. Moreover, Gottlieb was interested in mythology, archaic cultures, and the collective unconscious – influences that can be traced back to his friendship with Mark Rothko and their mutual explorations into primitive and archetypal symbolism in the 1930s.
Artists with similar styles or thematic concerns include Mark Rothko, for their shared interest in raw emotional expression through color, and Clyfford Still and Barnett Newman, both of whom also played pivotal roles in defining the Abstract Expressionist movement.
In conclusion, Adolph Gottlieb’s influence on the Abstract Expressionist movement is notable. Through his artistic journey from figuration to abstraction, he not only transformed his own style but also contributed to the larger dialogues and shifts happening in the American art scene during the mid-20th century.
Useful Links
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adolph_Gottlieb
https://www.wikiart.org/en/adolph-gottlieb
