Abstract Expressionism: Three Paintings from the Museum of Modern Art, New-York
23 March, 1999 - 15 August, 1999

The first ever exhibition of Abstract Expressionist paintings from the Museum of Modern Art, New-York, at the State Hermitage Museum will run from 23 March to 15 August 1999. The exhibition is travelling under the auspices of the International Council of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New-York.

The three paintings in the exhibition are:

Elegy to the Spanish Republic, Robert Motherwell
(1915-1991)
No. 54, 1957-1961; Oil on canvas; 178 x 229 cm

White Forms, Franz Kline
(1910-1962)
1955; Oil on canvas; 188.9 x 127.6 cm

A Tree in Naples, Willem de Kooning
(1904-1997)
1960; Oil on canvas; 203.7 x 178.1 cm

Early in their career these artists were closely related to American fine arts of the 1930s and their works were strongly influenced by both Expressionism and Surrealism. Later, avoiding representation of the real world the artists focused on reflecting their feelings in their works. At the same time the artists did not aspire to be orthodox abstractionists thus their paintings show emotions, strong temperament and tragic elements formed during the World War II.

White Forms
Franz Kline


Elegy to the Spanish Republic
Robert Motherwell


A Tree in Naples
Willem de Kooning