Abstract Expressionism from the Denver Art Museum

Soon after World War II, the center of the avant-garde shifted from Europe to the United States when the first American-grown modern art movement—abstract expressionism—was born.

This first fully American movement emphasized individual expression and the freedom to experiment with materials and processes. In this presentation of abstract works, you’ll see how artists, including Robert Motherwell, Betty Parsons, and Joan Mitchell used loose brushwork and emphasized surface rather than depth on the canvas. A selection of works on paper also comprise this exhibition and show how artists, including Deborah Remington and Lee Krasner, capture the quiet intimacy of direct, informal drawing.

Joan Mitchell, *Dune*, 1970. Oil paint on canvas. Gift of Dr. Charles and Linda Hamlin on the occasion of Dianne Vanderlip’s 25th year with the Contemporary Collection, 2001.653. © Joan Mitchell Foundation

Robert Motherwell, *Africa No. 2*, 1964–65. Acrylic paint on canvas. Acquired in memory of Rex L. Morgan, and through the generosity of the Dedalus Foundation and the following donors: Florence R. & Ralph L. Burgess Trust, Laurencin Deaccessions Fund, Vance Kirkland Acquisitions Fund, and the Marion G. Hendrie Fund.

Major memorial gifts from Joan E. Anderman, Mr. and Mrs. Hugh R. Catherwood, Mr. and Mrs. John B. Chafee, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas E. Congdon, Mr. and Mrs. Cortlandt S. Dietler, Suzanne Farver, Katherine L. Lawrence, Jan and Frederick Mayer, Caroline Morgan, Linda Ringsby, Mr. and Mrs. Walter S. Rosenberry III, Sally H. Story, and three anonymous donors.

Additional funding from Mark and Polly Addison, Philip and Nancy Anschutz, Nancy Lake-Benson, H. Kirk Brown III, Robin and Steven Chotin, Colorado National Bank, John and Lisa Dorn, William L. and Dr. Margaret B. Dorn, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis W. Douglas Jr., Duncan Oil Inc., First Interstate Bank of Denver, Charles and Diane Gallagher, Dorothy Strear Goodstein, Diane and Bob Greenlee, Fred and Jane Hamilton, Dr. Charles and Linda Hamlin, Mark and Diana Hayden, Hinckley & Schmitt Inc., J. Charles Jordy Jr., Key Bank of Colorado, Elizabeth T. Kirkpatrick, Amie Knox and Jim Kelley, Mr. and Mrs. William C. Kurtz, Edward and Margaret Leede, Susan and John W. Madden III, Jan and Frederick Mayer, McClain-Finlon Advertising Inc., Lilly and Paul Merage, Larry and Carol Mizel, Andrea Pollack, Priscilla Press and Joel Ehrlich, Judy and Ken Robins, Barbara and George Schmitt, Tremont Corporation, Vail Valley Arts Council, Ginny Williams, and Robbi and Carl Williams, 1994.1141. © Dedalus Foundation

Betty Parsons, *The Snail*, about 1955–65. Acrylic paint on canvas. Gift of the Betty Parsons Foundation, 2015.535. © Betty Parsons Foundation