In the early 1960s, a group of American artists began to explore new ways of painting. They rejected Abstract Expressionism and its emphasis on emotion and expression, instead focusing on color and form.

The movement was called Post-Painterly Abstraction because it followed in the wake (or “post”) of Abstract Expressionism.

Post-Painterly Abstraction – Introduction

The origins of this movement can be traced back to Robert Motherwell’s 1951 exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

In this show, Motherwell exhibited paintings that were more geometric than his previous work–they contained no recognizable imagery but instead used abstract shapes like circles or squares arranged in patterns across the canvas surface.

This style became known as “dynamic symmetry” because it emphasized balance through asymmetrical arrangements where one side looked different from another side but still maintained visual equilibrium through careful placement within each composition.

The Development of Post-Painterly Abstraction

The Post-Painterly Abstraction movement was a response to the Abstract Expressionism movement, which emphasized expression and emotion over technical skill.

Post-Painterly artists rejected this idea, believing that technique should be just as important as content.


The most famous artist associated with the Post-Painterly Abstraction movement is Frank Stella (born 1936).

He created paintings that used hard edges and geometric shapes in bright colors on white canvases.

Other artists who worked during this time include Kenneth Noland (1924-2010), Jules Olitski (1928-) and Ellsworth Kelly (born 1923).

Color Field Painting is another important part of this art period.

Artists like Mark Rothko (1903-1970) used large blocks of color on canvas or paper to create abstract works that focused more on mood than subject matter or form; some even called his paintings “murals” because they were so large!

Key Characteristics of Post-Painterly Abstraction

The Use Of Geometric Shapes

The artists of this movement used geometric forms to create their paintings.

They included triangles, squares and rectangles in their works.

These shapes helped them to create a sense of balance and order in their paintings.

Colorful Palette

The colors used by the post-painterly abstraction artists were bright and vivid unlike those used by abstract expressionists who used more subdued colors like black, white or gray tones.

Natural Shapes

The artists also started using natural shapes such as trees, waterfalls etc.

, instead of just using abstract forms like dots or lines that have no meaning attached to them

Notable Post-Painterly Abstraction Artists

Frank Stella,

Kenneth Noland,

Helen Frankenthaler,

Morris Louis,

Jules Olitski,

Ellsworth Kelly.

Post-Painterly Abstraction and Pop Art

Post-Painterly Abstraction and Pop Art are two art movements that have had a significant impact on the world of art.

Post-painterly abstraction was an American art movement that began in the 1950s and lasted until the 1970s.

It was characterized by its use of bright colors, geometric shapes and collage elements.

Artists like Jasper Johns and Robert Rauschenberg are considered pioneers of this style of painting because they experimented with different materials such as wax or oil pastels to create their works instead of using traditional brushes or paintbrushes to apply color onto canvas boards like most artists did before them (or today).

The idea behind this method was that it would allow them more freedom when creating their pieces since they could use whatever medium suited their needs at any given time without having any restrictions set upon them by tradition or conventionality – which is exactly what happened!

Post-Painterly Abstraction shaped how we think about abstract art today thanks largely due its influence over other genres such as pop culture.”

Post-Painterly Abstraction and Minimalism

The term “post-painterly abstraction” was coined by art critic Clement Greenberg in 1966 to describe the work of artists like Frank Stella and Ellsworth Kelly who were moving away from painterly styles.

The movement was influenced by minimalism, which had become popular in the 1960s with artists like Donald Judd and Morris Louis.

In this way, it can be seen as an early example of Conceptual Art–an artistic movement that emerged in the late 1960s and focused on ideas rather than physical objects or traditional painting techniques.

Post-Painterly Abstraction and Color Field Painting

The influence of Color Field Painting on Post-Painterly Abstraction is clear in the work of artists like Frank Stella and Ellsworth Kelly.

They were inspired by Barnett Newman’s use of color and geometric forms, as well as his ideas about abstraction.

In fact, some critics have suggested that these artists took their inspiration from Newman’s work so much so that they created paintings that were almost identical to his own!

In turn, Post-Painterly Abstraction had an influence on Color Field Painting when artists began experimenting with different methods for applying paint onto canvas or board surfaces, such as pouring it directly onto the surface rather than using brushes or rollers (as was done before).

This technique helped create brighter colors because there was less chance for mixing between pigments during application.

However, it also produced drips from excess liquid being released during application which gave rise to another aesthetic quality found within this movement: drip painting.

Post-Painterly Abstraction and Hard-Edge Painting

Post-Painterly Abstraction and Hard-Edge Painting are two movements that share many similarities.

   

Both use hard edges, geometric shapes and flat colors to create their paintings.

 

The artists of both movements were influenced by the abstract expressionists who came before them, but they wanted to move away from the loose brushwork and gestural marks that characterized those paintings.

The influence of Hard-Edge Painting on Post-Painterly Abstraction can be seen in the works of artists like Ellsworth Kelly (American) and Frank Stella (American).

These artists used simple shapes like squares or rectangles in their work instead of complex forms found in earlier abstractions like Jackson Pollock’s drip paintings.

They also often used bright colors rather than muted tones found in many other abstractions at this time period.

Post-Painterly Abstraction had an impact on later movements such as Minimalism because its focus on simplified shapes helped inspire artists who wanted to take things even further by eliminating color altogether!

Post-Painterly Abstraction and Contemporary Art

Post-Painterly Abstraction is a movement that has influenced contemporary art.

The impact of Post-Painterly Abstraction on contemporary art can be seen in many ways, including the use of bold colors and geometric shapes.

Artists like Jackson Pollock and Robert Motherwell were inspired by the abstract expressionist movement, which was an offshoot of post-painterly abstraction.

Post-Painterly Abstraction artists often use bright colors in their paintings because they want viewers to focus on the composition rather than individual brushstrokes or lines.

They also tend to use geometric shapes as part of their compositions;

this helps viewers see how different parts fit together visually without having to rely too much on details like facial expressions or body language (which may not be available).

Post-Painterly Abstraction – Wrapping Up

Post-painterly abstraction is an important movement in modern art that has had a lasting impact on the world of visual arts.

Its legacy can be seen in many contemporary artists, who continue to explore its themes and ideas.