Willem De Kooning Biography

Even if you’re not a fan of Willem de Kooning’s paintings, this biography is enjoyable for the insight into his life and work, his contemporaries, and the art world he lived in. It reveals how success eluded him for decades, what he did to support himself, and how, once he had decided he was a full-time artist rather than merely dreaming about becoming one, he continually strove towards an independent style.

Willem de Kooning is regarded as one of the 20th century’s most important painters. In the 1930s and 40s he was a key figure in the abstract expressionist art movement in America, together with the likes of Arshile Gorky and Jackson Pollock. Born in Rotterdam in the Netherlands, De Kooning arrived in New York as a stowaway in 1926. He struggled for years as a fine artist, supporting himself with his work as an illustrator and commercial artist. His first one-man show was only in 1948, just before his 44th birthday. 10 black-and-white paintings he’d finished the year before were exhibited -- nothing sold. But acclaim by a few art critics, including the influential Clement Greenberg, led to recognition, and the take-off of his career.

The biography is well written, reading easily and compellingly. Whenever an important new figure appears, such as another artist, the authors spend a few pages giving background on them, so you get a real feel for De Kooning’s world. Even if you’re not a fan of De Kooning’s work, this biography is highly enjoyable for the insight into his life and work, his contemporaries, and the art world he lived in. It reveals how success eluded him for decades, what he did to support himself, and how, once he had decided he was a full-time artist rather than merely dreaming about becoming one, he continually strove towards an independent style. His hard work and dedication are inspiring.