In the realm of abstract expressionism, there exists a luminary by the name of Franz Kline (May 23, 1910 – May 13, 1962), an American painter whose indelible mark on the art world is an enduring testament to his creative genius. As we dive into the life and work of this remarkable artist, we discover the profound impact he had on the abstract expressionist movement of the 1940s and 1950s, a period that witnessed the emergence of a new artistic paradigm characterized by gestural brushstrokes, emotional depth, and unbridled spontaneity.
The Early Years and Artistic Formation
Franz Kline’s journey began in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, a small community nestled in the Coal Region of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Tragically, at the tender age of seven, Kline’s father took his own life, a pivotal event that would shape his perspective on life and art. Despite the adversity he faced, Kline’s talent and determination led him to Lehighton, Pennsylvania, where he completed his high school education. His mother’s remarriage sent him to Girard College in Philadelphia, an institution for fatherless boys, where he continued to nurture his artistic inclinations.
After graduating from high school, Kline embarked on a transformative artistic odyssey. He pursued art studies at Boston University from 1931 to 1935, honing his skills and going deep into the world of creative expression. Subsequently, Kline spent a year in England, attending the Heatherley School of Fine Art in London. It was during this sojourn that he serendipitously encountered his future wife, Elizabeth V. Parsons, a British ballet dancer whose artistic sensibilities would harmonize with Kline’s own.
Returning to the United States in 1938 with his newfound love, Kline embarked on a professional journey that would eventually lead him to the epicenter of the art world—New York City. Initially working as a designer for a department store in New York State, Kline’s destiny as an artist was unfolding. His move to the bustling metropolis in 1939 marked a turning point in his life, as he immersed himself in the vibrant art scene and began to crystallize his distinctive artistic vision.
The Evolution of Kline’s Artistic Style
Kline’s artistic evolution is a testament to his dedication and innovative spirit. His early training centered on traditional illustrating and drafting, and during the late 1930s and early 1940s, he ventured into figurative art, painting landscapes, cityscapes, and commissioned portraits and murals. One pivotal moment in his career came in 1940 when he created the mural series titled “Hot Jazz” for the Bleecker Street Tavern in Greenwich Village. This series unveiled his fascination with breaking down representative forms into quick, rudimentary brushstrokes.
As Kline’s artistic journey progressed, his work underwent a remarkable transformation. His oeuvre began to embrace abstraction, as he drew inspiration from the locomotives, stark landscapes, and mechanical shapes of his native coal-mining community in Pennsylvania. Although his abstract works might not immediately resemble their subjects, their names often referenced these places and objects, offering viewers a bridge to understanding his creative process.
With the influence of the burgeoning New York art scene, Kline ventured deeper into abstraction, eventually forsaking representationalism altogether. From the late 1940s onward, he began to generalize his figurative subjects into lines and planes, akin to the Cubist works of the time. This marked a profound shift in his artistic approach and paved the way for his enduring legacy as an abstract expressionist.
Kline’s Defining Style: Black and White Abstraction
Kline’s signature style, characterized by bold black brushstrokes on white canvases, emerged as a defining hallmark of his career. It was during this period that he adopted a monochromatic palette, using black and white to convey both negative and positive space. He famously remarked, “I paint the white as well as the black, and the white is just as important.” This dualistic approach to color mirrored the works of contemporaries like Willem de Kooning and Jackson Pollock during the 1940s.
Interestingly, Kline’s work also exhibited subtle hints of Japanese calligraphy, possibly influenced by his interactions with the Japanese avant-garde calligraphy group Bokujinkai and its leader, Morita Shiryu. These elements added depth and complexity to his abstract compositions, even though Kline himself later denied any direct connection to Japanese calligraphy.
The Breakthrough and Legacy
Kline’s first one-man show in 1950 at the Egan Gallery in New York marked a pivotal moment in his career. The exhibition featured eleven abstract paintings that showcased his iconic black and white style. While color was sparingly used in these works, Kline’s mastery of his unique approach was undeniable.
The impact of Kline’s art extended beyond his lifetime, influencing a new generation of artists. Figures like Robert Rauschenberg, Aaron Siskind, Cy Twombly, Mark di Suvero, and Brice Marden all cited Kline as a source of inspiration. His abstract expressionism, characterized by its spontaneity and intense brushwork, resonated deeply with those who sought to convey emotion and raw energy through their art.
The Art Market and Enduring Influence
Kline’s influence in the art world continues to be felt, as evidenced by record-breaking sales of his works at auction. In 2012, one of his untitled black-and-white paintings from 1957 fetched an astounding $36 million at Christie’s, setting a new record for the artist and underscoring the enduring appeal of his creations.
Today, institutions around the world proudly hold Kline’s works in their collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, and the Tate Modern in London, among others.
Conclusion
Franz Kline’s journey from a small Pennsylvania town to the epicenter of the New York art scene is a testament to the power of artistic vision and unwavering dedication. His pioneering work in abstract expressionism, characterized by bold black and white compositions, remains a source of inspiration for generations of artists. Kline’s legacy continues to shine brightly in the art world, a testament to the enduring power of creativity and the indomitable spirit of an artist who dared to redefine the boundaries of artistic expression.