Helen Frankenthaler's Adriatic (1968) at the Norton Simon Museum's Surface Truths exhibit |
I've been feeling a bit down over the past few days, since hearing of the death of Helen Frankenthaler, one of my favorite American abstract painters. Earlier this year, I had the good fortune to view her painting, Adriatic, on numerous occasions as part of my regular visits to the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena. I would sit down and let my mind drift into the orange clouds of the surface, following the subtle yet precise flows of color. It was always a rich aesthetic experience.
It pains me that this woman who has brought such beauty into my life has left this world.
I went over to LACMA to view her painting, Winter Hunt, to pay my respects. I prefer Adriatic, but I haven't had time to head over to the Huntington Museum, where I think it currently on view.
Detail of Winter Hunt (1958) by Helen Frankenthaler |
Although it doesn't have the tranquility of Adriatic, this painting has her characteristic color play and lyrical compositional style. There's an authentic ferocity to the image, a serene savagery.
I hope that Helen Frankenthaler's legacy is celebrated and honored, serving as an inspiration for young artists interested in exploring the nuances of color.
Helen Frankenthaler (1956); photo by Gordon Parks |
Here are a few vids:
Our sympathy goes out to her friends and family. Our love and admiration for Helen endures.
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