Abstract Expressionism

The Muriel Kallis Steinberg Newman Collection
At the Metropolitan Museum of Art

By Evonne Fitzgerald

Muriel Kallis Steinberg Newman’s amazing collection of expressionistic art has returned to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The collection, unveiled on September 18 and on display until February 3, is an outstanding collection from many of the most prominent expressionistic artists of our time. There are paintings, sculptures, collages, drawings and more–a virtual wonderland of color and genius. Jackson Pollock, William de Kooning, Joan Miro, Mark Rothko, David Smith, Clyfford Still, Helen Frankenthalef and Arshile Gorky are among the many artists presented in this exhibit.
Muriel Kallis Steinberg Newman is known for her intelligence and gusto and her extraordinary understanding of modern art. An artist herself, she attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Institute of Design and the University of Chicago. Mrs. Newman has been collecting modern art for decades. Over the years, she has brought to the attention of the art world the works of dozens of struggling artists. Today, many of those artists are internationally known thanks to Mrs. Newman’s efforts.
Featured in this exhibit are works by Jackson Pollock (1912-1956). Pollock began painting in 1929 and he studied with Thomas Hart Benton who was a Regionalist painter (did you see the 1989 film Field of Dreams?) In addition, Pollock studied Surrealism, which is presented in this exhibit in the piece Number 28, 1950. William de Kooning (1904-1997) was one of the most influential artists of the twentieth century, whose reputation stemmed from his ability to move between figurative and abstract styles with such ease, presented is Attic (1949). Also offered is Morris Louis (1912-1962) Alpha-Pi (1960) which is remarkable in its simplicity and beauty. Additionally, there are two works by Clyfford Still (1904-1980) No. 1 (1947) and No. 3. (1953). If these lists aren’t enough to propel you to the golden doors of the MET, then let me include works by Alexander Calder, Kurt Schwitters, Larry Rivers, Fernand Leger, Cornell Hofmann, Kenneth Noland, Claes Oldenburg, Gala Eluard, Jean Arp, Alberto Giacometti and well the list goes on. This is an extraordinary array of expressionistic art, and an experience I am sure you won’t want to miss; I hope to see you there, and by the way Happy Holidays.
The Metropolitan Museum of art is located at 1000 5th Avenue at 82nd Street. 212 535-7710.
Reference: Wikipedia World Encyclopedia of American Artist.