Elaine de Kooning and the Trailblazing Women in the Arts | Celebrating Women’s History Month
“Born March 12, 1920, Elaine Fried in New York City, the artist's passion for art blossomed through museum visits, books, and drawing sessions with her mother. While studying painting in New York, she married Willem de Kooning, a prominent
Abstract Expressionist.
Elaine de Kooning, a leading figure in Abstract Expressionism, defended the movement through her articulate writings, critiquing artists like Gorky, Kline, and Pollock for ARTnews. Despite her affiliation, she maintained a fascination with figuration, evident in series like "bullfights" and "basketball players."
Her most renowned work is perhaps her portrait of John F. Kennedy, commissioned by the Truman Library, capturing his essence through numerous sketches and canvases. An esteemed educator, she taught at institutions like Yale University and the Parsons New School for Design. Her paintings grace the collections of esteemed American museums, including the Guggenheim and The Museum of Modern Art.”
- National Museum of Women in the Arts
