A fascinating examination of a formative time in the iconic artist's career In 1948, Willem de Kooning held his first solo exhibition, at age forty-four, at the Charles Egan Gallery in New York City.
About the Author: John Elderfield is Chief Curator Emeritus of Painting and Sculpture at The Museum of Modern Art in New York.
144 Pages
Art, History
Series Name: Publications of the Art Museum, Princeton University
Description
Book Synopsis
A fascinating examination of a formative time in the iconic artist's career
In 1948, Willem de Kooning held his first solo exhibition, at age forty-four, at the Charles Egan Gallery in New York City. Willem de Kooning: The Breakthrough Years explores how the painter developed his distinctive style in the period leading up to the show, blending figuration with abstraction and experimenting with materials such as enamel paint, cardboard, and Masonite. This beautifully illustrated book features illuminating essays by John Elderfield and Mitra Abbaspour, who closely consider de Kooning's work during this time, the environment and influences that surrounded him, and the impact of the 1948 exhibition on both his career and the New York School. Lee Colón's detailed chronology provides invaluable context for the exhibition while Jim Coddington and Bart Devolder's material study of Black Friday--a painting included in the 1948 exhibition--offers vital perspective on the painter's working methods. Featuring paintings and drawings made by the artist between 1945 and 1950 as well as important primary source material, this book sheds critical light on a prolific and formative period in the life and career of an incomparable artist. Exhibition Schedule Princeton University Art Museum, Princeton March 14-July 26, 2026 Distributed for the Princeton University Art Museum
About the Author
John Elderfield is Chief Curator Emeritus of Painting and Sculpture at The Museum of Modern Art in New York. Mitra Abbaspour is the Head of Division and Houghton Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at Harvard Art Museums. Lee Colón is a curatorial research associate at the Princeton University Art Museum. Jim Coddington is the former Agnes Gund Chief Conservator at The Museum of Modern Art. Bart Devolder is chief conservator at the Princeton University Art Museum.
Dimensions (Overall): 12.3 Inches (H) x 10.2 Inches (W) x 1.0 Inches (D)
Weight: 3.05 Pounds
Suggested Age: 22 Years and Up
Number of Pages: 144
Genre: Art
Sub-Genre: History
Series Title: Publications of the Art Museum, Princeton University
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Theme: 20th & 21st Century
Format: Hardcover
Author: John Elderfield & Mitra Abbaspour & Lee Colón
Language: English
Street Date: June 2, 2026
TCIN: 1006215542
UPC: 9780691973968
Item Number (DPCI): 247-04-4272
Origin: Made in the USA or Imported
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