A group blog of Art History students at The Barstow School.
Progression of Human Form - Woman V
12:00 AM
Progression of Human Form Curated by Shahzad Aslam
Willem de Kooning, Woman V, 1953
Abstract Expressionism is a movement in art history concerned with high intensity, emotionality, rebelliousness, and dealing with a world in the post-World War II landscape. Woman V by Willem De Kooning encompasses and builds on all the previous movements that came before it ranging from impressionism to surrealism. This interpretation of the human form combines various elements from the movements preceding it to produce a truly modern composition. The mangled face and chaotic application of paint produce a terrifying effect, similar to the gut reactions induced by surrealist and cubist works. In Woman V, the human form is depicted not through anatomical correctness or realism, but purely through emotion intensity. You don’t see the woman necessarily, but you definitely feel her pain and anger. If this were simply another portrait piece, the disturbing and shocking qualities of the piece would be stripped away. The piece would become about some woman rather then embodying the feelings of thousands of women who suffered during World War II.
The students of Renaissance and Modern Art History at the Barstow School want to share their learning, thus they came up with this snappy blog. Here you will find a variety of topics on all things Renaissance and Modern Art, we hope you enjoy it. Any questions, please contact mark.luce at barstowschool dot org.
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