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Article: De Kooning and his 'Women'; Show traces the abstract expressionist's obsessions.(ARTS)(ART)
- Article from:
- The Washington Times (Washington, DC)
- Article date:
- October 19, 2002
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2002 News World Communications, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Byline: Joanna Shaw-Eagle, THE WASHINGTON TIMES
New York abstract expressionist Willem de Kooning is famous - even notorious - for his "Women" paintings of the 1940s and 1950s. At first, these portraits of leering women with bulbous breasts repelled critics and public alike.
Now, the National Gallery of Art in its current exhibit "Willem de Kooning: Tracing the Figure" shows the artist's thinking behind the "Women" and why they were later considered icons of their time.
Serene, elegantly drawn portraits, such as the penciled image of his wife "Elaine de Kooning," kick off the show. Mr. de Kooning (1904-1997) was looking back to the fluid line ...