In the Studio: Postwar Abstract Painting

About this course: Want to know how some of the 20th century’s most celebrated artists made abstract paintings? This course offers an in-depth, hands-on look at the materials, techniques, and thinking of seven New York School artists, including Willem de Kooning, Yayoi Kusama, Agnes Martin, Barnett Newman, Jackson Pollock, Ad Reinhardt, and Mark Rothko. Through studio demonstrations and gallery walkthroughs, you’ll form a deeper understanding of what a studio practice means and how ideas develop from close looking, and you’ll gain a sensitivity to the physical qualities of paint. Readings and other resources will round out your understanding, providing broader cultural, intellectual, and historical context about the decades after World War II, when these artists were active. The works of art you will explore in this course may also serve as points of departure to make your own abstract paintings. You may choose to participate in the studio exercises, for which you are invited to post images of your own paintings to the discussion boards, or you may choose to complete the course through its quizzes and written assessments only. Learners who wish to participate in the optional studio exercises may need to purchase art supplies. A list of suggested materials is included in the first module. Learning Objectives: Learn about the materials, techniques, and approaches of seven New York School artists who made abstract paintings. Trace the development of each artist’s work and studio practice in relation to broader cultural, intellectual, and historical contexts in the decades after World War II. Hone your visual analysis skills. Use each artist’s works as a point of departure for making your own abstract paintings.

Who is this class for: This course is for anyone interested in learning more about the materials and techniques of postwar abstract painting. Please note: No prior knowledge of art history or studio art is required. You may complete this course with written assessments only, or choose to participate in the studio component. The course includes a list of painting supplies you may want to purchase.

Created by:  The Museum of Modern Art

• Taught by:  Corey D'Augustine, Art conservator, technical art historian, and artist

  Department of Education

Level Beginner Commitment 1-2 hours per week, plus additional time for optional studio exercises Language English How To Pass Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. User Ratings 4.9 stars Average User Rating 4.9See what learners said Coursework

Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.

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The Museum of Modern Art The Museum of Modern Art is a place that fuels creativity, ignites minds, and provides inspiration. With extraordinary exhibitions and the world's finest collection of modern and contemporary art, MoMA is dedicated to the conversation between the past and the present, the established and the experimental. Our mission is helping you understand, enjoy, and use the art of our time.

Syllabus


WEEK 1


Introduction



6 videos, 4 readings expand

1. Reading: 1.1 Introduction to the Course
2. Video: 1.2 Introduction to the New York School
3. Video: 1.3 In the Studio: How to Stretch a Canvas
4. Video: 1.4 In the Studio: How to Stretch a Large Canvas (Optional)
5. Video: 1.5 In the Studio: Priming the Canvas
6. Video: 1.6 In the Studio: Oil Paint
7. Video: 1.7 In the Studio: Acrylic Paint
8. Reading: 1.8 Supply List
9. Reading: 1.9 Readings & Resources
10. Reading: 1.10 Glossary
11. Discussion Prompt: Artist communities

Graded: Introduction

WEEK 2


Barnett Newman



5 videos, 4 readings expand

1. Reading: 2.1 Introduction to Barnett Newman
2. Reading: 2.2 Slideshow: A Career in Eight Works
3. Video: 2.3 In the Studio: Materials & Techniques of Barnett Newman
4. Video: 2.4 In the Galleries: A Closer Look at Onement, I, 1948
5. Video: 2.5 In the Galleries: A Closer Look at The Wild, 1950
6. Video: 2.6 In the Galleries: A Closer Look at Vir Heroicus Sublimis, 1950-51
7. Video: 2.7 Collector Ben Heller on Vir Heroicus Sublimis, 1950-51
8. Reading: 2.8 Readings & Resources
9. Reading: 2.9 Glossary
10. Discussion Prompt: Painting and affect
11. Discussion Prompt: Barnett Newman studio exercise

Graded: Barnett Newman

WEEK 3


Willem de Kooning



4 videos, 4 readings expand

1. Reading: 3.1 Introduction to Willem de Kooning
2. Reading: 3.2 Slideshow: A Career in Eight Works
3. Video: 3.3 In the Studio: Materials & Techniques of Willem de Kooning
4. Video: 3.4 In the Galleries: A Closer Look at Woman I, 1950-52
5. Video: 3.5 Curator John Elderfield on Excavation, 1950
6. Video: 3.6 Curator John Elderfield on Pirate (Untitled II), 1981
7. Reading: 3.7 Readings & Resources
8. Reading: 3.8 Glossary
9. Discussion Prompt: Abstraction and likeness
10. Discussion Prompt: Willem de Kooning Studio Exercise

Graded: Willem de Kooning

WEEK 4


Jackson Pollock



10 videos, 4 readings expand

1. Reading: 4.1 Introduction to Jackson Pollock
2. Reading: 4.2 Slideshow: A Career in Eight Works
3. Video: 4.3 In the Studio: Materials & Techniques of Jackson Pollock
4. Video: 4.4 In the Galleries: A Closer Look at The She-Wolf, 1943
5. Video: 4.5 In the Galleries: A Closer Look at Full Fathom Five, 1947
6. Video: 4.6 In the Galleries: A Closer Look at One: Number 31, 1950
7. Video: 4.7 In the Galleries: A Closer Look at Echo: Number 25, 1951
8. Video: 4.8 In the Galleries: A Closer Look at Easter and the Totem, 1953
9. Video: 4.9 In the Galleries: A Closer Look at White Light, 1954
10. Video: 4.10 Curator Ann Temkin on The She-Wolf, 1943
11. Video: 4.11 Collector Ben Heller on One: Number 31, 1950
12. Video: 4.12 Curator Ann Temkin on Easter and the Totem, 1953
13. Reading: 4.13 Readings & Resources
14. Reading: 4.14 Glossary
15. Discussion Prompt: Radical reinvention
16. Discussion Prompt: Jackson Pollock Studio Exercise

Graded: Jackson Pollock

WEEK 5


Mark Rothko



7 videos, 5 readings expand

1. Reading: 5.1 Introduction to Mark Rothko
2. Reading: 5.2 Slideshow: A Career in Eight Works
3. Video: 5.3 In the Studio: Materials & Techniques of Mark Rothko
4. Video: 5.4 In the Galleries: A Closer Look at Slow Swirl at the Edge of the Sea, 1944
5. Video: 5.5 In the Galleries: A Closer Look at No. 3/No. 13, 1949
6. Video: 5.6 In the Galleries: A Closer Look at No. 10, 1950
7. Video: 5.7 Curator Ann Temkin and the artist's son Christopher Rothko on Slow Swirl at the Edge of the Sea, 1944
8. Video: 5.8 The artist's son Christopher Rothko on No. 10, 1950
9. Video: 5.9 The artist's son Christopher Rothko on No. 16 (Red, Brown, and Black), 1958
10. Reading: *Advanced Planning for Module 7: In the Studio: Materials & Techniques of Ad Reinhardt
11. Reading: 5.9 Readings & Resources
12. Reading: 5.10 Glossary
13. Discussion Prompt: The power of color
14. Discussion Prompt: Mark Rothko Studio Exercise

Graded: Mark Rothko

WEEK 6


Agnes Martin



4 videos, 4 readings expand

1. Reading: 6.1 Introduction to Agnes Martin
2. Reading: 6.2 Slideshow: A Career in Eight Works
3. Video: 6.3 In the Studio: Materials & Techniques of Agnes Martin
4. Video: 6.4 A Closer Look at Friendship, 1963
5. Video: 6.5 A Closer Look at Untitled No. 1, 1981
6. Video: 6.6 Curator Leah Dickerman on The Tree, 1964
7. Reading: 6.7 Readings & Resources
8. Reading: 6.8 Glossary
9. Discussion Prompt: Abstract Expressionism and Minimalism
10. Discussion Prompt: Agnes Martin Studio Exercise

Graded: Agnes Martin

WEEK 7


Ad Reinhardt



4 videos, 4 readings expand

1. Reading: 7.1 Introduction to Ad Reinhardt
2. Reading: 7.2 Slideshow: A Career in Eight Works
3. Video: 7.3 In the Studio: Materials & Techniques of Ad Reinhardt
4. Video: 7.4 In the Galleries: A Closer Look at Number 107, 1950
5. Video: 7.5 In the Galleries: A Closer Look at Abstract Painting, 1963
6. Video: 7.6 Curator Ann Temkin and Ad Reinhardt on Abstract Painting, 1957
7. Reading: 7.7 Readings & Resources
8. Reading: 7.8 Glossary
9. Discussion Prompt: "Art is free"
10. Discussion Prompt: Ad Reinhardt Studio Exercise

Graded: Ad Reinhardt

WEEK 8


Yayoi Kusama



4 videos, 5 readings expand

1. Reading: 8.1 Introduction to Yayoi Kusama
2. Reading: 8.2 Slideshow: A Career in Eight Works
3. Video: 8.3 In the Studio: Materials & Techniques of Yayoi Kusama
4. Video: 8.4 A Closer Look at No. F, 1959
5. Video: 8.5 A Closer Look at Violet Obsession, 1994
6. Video: 8.6 Curator Laura Hoptman on Accumulation No. 1, 1962
7. Reading: 8.6 Readings & Resources
8. Reading: 8.7 Glossary
9. Discussion Prompt: Working across mediums
10. Discussion Prompt: Yayoi Kusama Studio Exercise
11. Reading: Funding & Credits

Graded: Yayoi Kusama
Graded: Final Project: Visual analysis essay