Willem de Kooning

b. 1904, Rotterdam, Netherlands
d. 1997, East Hampton, New York

Born into a working-class family in Rotterdam, Willem de Kooning rose to become one of the most influential artists of the twentieth century. De Kooning’s artistic journey began early; at twelve, he apprenticed at a leading design firm and attended night classes at the prestigious Rotterdam Academy of Fine Arts and Techniques, later renamed the Willem de Kooning Academy in 1998. In 1926, he stowed away on a ship to the United States and settled in New York City in 1927. Initially drawn by the allure of the American dream, he worked as a house painter before establishing himself as a commercial artist and immersing himself in the vibrant New York art world, forming friendships with artists like Stuart Davis and Arshile Gorky.

De Kooning’s commitment to painting deepened during the Great Depression when he worked in the Works Progress Administration’s (WPA) mural division in 1936. By the late 1940s, he was a leading figure of Abstract Expressionism, alongside Jackson Pollock, Franz Kline, and Mark Rothko. This movement, also known as the New York School, shifted the center of the avant-garde from Paris to New York, with de Kooning’s groundbreaking techniques dissolving traditional foreground-background relationships and emphasizing emotive, abstract gestures.

In 1943, de Kooning married artist Elaine de Kooning (née Fried), who became a significant figure in the New York art scene in her own right. Their relationship was marked by both creative collaboration and personal challenges, and Elaine played an important role in promoting de Kooning’s work and legacy.

In 1948, de Kooning’s first solo exhibition at the Charles Egan Gallery established his reputation, showcasing his influential black-and-white oil and enamel works. Despite his success, de Kooning remained an experimental artist, famously shocking the art world in 1953 with his expressive "Women" series, which reintroduced figuration and sparked both criticism and admiration.

Throughout his career, de Kooning resisted adherence to a singular style, instead embracing constant exploration. In the 1950s and 60s, he expanded his work into drawing, printmaking, and sculpture, influenced by his travels and exposure to Japanese art and calligraphy. Moving to East Hampton in 1963, de Kooning’s art softened, reflecting the light and landscapes reminiscent of his native Holland.

De Kooning’s prolific output continued through the 70s and 80s, culminating in a series of pared-down, serene abstract works that synthesized his lifelong investigation of form and space. De Kooning worked on his final painting in 1991 and passed away in 1997 at age 92. Throughout his remarkable career, he earned numerous honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1964, and his works are housed in prestigious institutions worldwide.