Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art: Ad Reinhardt (1913-1967)

Ad Reinhardt:

Ad Reinhardt was an American abstract artist who was a major influence on conceptual art, minimal art, and monochrome painting. He was a member of the American Abstract Artists and The Club, a meeting place for the New York School’s abstract expressionist artists during the 1940s to the 1950s. Although Reinhardt was associated with Abstract Expressionists, his works had origins in geometric abstraction. In his exploration of geometric abstraction, he sought to purify his paintings of everything he saw as extraneous to art. He believed that the ultimate in abstract paintings were concerned with art alone and bore no reference to anything outside the paintings themselves. Thus, he sought to remove all references from the external world from his pictures- even the hints of soul and angst typically found in Abstract Expressionists pictures. He maintained an interest in various types of mysticism, as shown in his barely delineated forms in his Black Paintings that viewers struggled to understand.

I find Reinhardt’s artworks very satisfying to the eye and mind. His works provoke thoughts of bewilderment and I have always appreciated paintings that make me want to know more. His use of colour is wonderful and the geometric abstraction found in his art leaves me surprised and delighted.

Artworks:

_

References:

• “Ad Reinhardt Overview and Analysis.” The Art Story, www.theartstory.org/artist-reinhardt-ad.htm.
• Tate. “Ad Reinhardt 1913-1967.” Tate, Tate, www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/ad-reinhardt-1826.