Abstract Expressionism and Surrealism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Abstract Expressionism and Surrealism - Essay Example The focus of the essay "Abstract Expressionism and Surrealism" is on abstract expressionism and surrealism styles. Surrealism in painting is shown by highly abstract image that is loosely painted or drawn that also involves improvisation. In Abstract Expressionism, attention is drawn to the surface qualities of the paintings such as the monumental canvas and the paint viscosity; improvisation is also involved. The Surrealists such as Max Ernst (1891-1976), Yves Tanguy (1900-1955), Joan Miro and Andre Masson (1896) had the liking for the Positivists who intended to define and categorize elements in a way that their truths looked verifiable. The Abstract Expressionists such as Willem De Kooning (1904-1997), Jackson Pollock (1912-1956), Barnett Newman (1905-1970), Franz Kline (1910-1962) and Philip Guston (1913-1980) on the other hand utilized the improvisatory technique that had similarities with the psychic automatism. The abstract expressionism is similar to the surrealism. There are key distinct and similar features between the two styles of art. The main similarity is that both of them are interested in the subconscious mind. In orientation surrealism is classical (poses the desire to develop and order that can be understood by a group) whereas abstract expressionism is romantic (distillation of truth perceived through the artist’s personal vision). Both abstract expressionism and surrealism seek to capture the sub conscious mind in their work. The surrealists highly honored the studio of the painters.