Lee Krasner was one of the most influential and original American painters of the 20th century. She was a pioneer of Abstract Expressionism, a movement that revolutionized the art world with its expressive and spontaneous style. She was also the wife and artistic partner of Jackson Pollock, the famous drip painter who died in a car crash in 1956. But how did Lee Krasner die, and what was her legacy?
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Lee Krasner’s Early Life and Career
Lee Krasner was born as Lena Krassner on October 27, 1908, in Brooklyn, New York. She was the daughter of Russian-Jewish immigrants who fled from the pogroms and the Russo-Japanese War. She decided to become an artist at the age of 13 and enrolled in the Women’s Art School of Cooper Union and the National Academy of Design, where she received formal training in painting and drawing. She was influenced by the modern art movements of Post-Impressionism, Cubism, and Fauvism, which she saw at the newly opened Museum of Modern Art in 1929.
In 1937, she joined the classes of Hans Hofmann, a German painter and teacher who introduced her to the principles of Cubism and the importance of color and form. She also became part of the Federal Art Project, a New Deal program that employed artists during the Great Depression. She worked as a muralist and a war propaganda artist, creating posters and paintings that supported the Allied cause.
In the 1940s, she became involved with the New York School, a group of avant-garde artists who experimented with abstract and non-representational art. She met Jackson Pollock in 1942 and married him in 1945. They moved to a farm in East Hampton, where they converted a barn into a studio. They influenced each other’s work, as Krasner adopted Pollock’s technique of dripping and splashing paint on large canvases, while Pollock incorporated Krasner’s use of organic and floral motifs. They also supported each other’s careers, as Krasner helped Pollock secure gallery shows and recognition, while Pollock encouraged Krasner to pursue her own artistic vision.
Lee Krasner’s Later Years and Death
Krasner’s life and work were deeply affected by Pollock’s death in 1956, which occurred when he was driving drunk and crashed his car, killing himself and a passenger. Krasner was devastated by the loss of her husband and artistic companion, and she struggled with depression and loneliness. She also faced the challenge of preserving Pollock’s legacy and managing his estate, which involved legal battles and financial difficulties.
However, she also found new inspiration and freedom in her art, as she experimented with different styles and techniques. She created large-scale paintings that featured bold colors and geometric shapes, as well as collages that recycled her earlier works. She also traveled to Europe and met other artists, such as Willem de Kooning, Mark Rothko, and Joan Miró. She received more recognition and appreciation for her work, as she had solo exhibitions and retrospectives in various museums and galleries. She also received honorary degrees and awards, such as the National Medal of Arts in 1983.
Krasner died of natural causes on June 19, 1984, in New York City. She was 75 years old and had arthritis. She is buried next to Pollock at the Green River Cemetery in Springs, New York. She left behind a rich and diverse body of work that spanned six decades and reflected her personal and artistic evolution. She also established the Pollock-Krasner Foundation, which supports emerging and established artists and promotes the study and appreciation of American art.
Lee Krasner Cause of Death: A Conclusion
Lee Krasner was a remarkable artist who contributed to the development of Abstract Expressionism and influenced generations of painters. She was also a devoted wife and partner of Jackson Pollock, who shared his passion and talent for art. Her cause of death was natural, but her legacy lives on in her paintings and in the foundation that bears her name. She was a woman of courage, creativity, and resilience, who overcame many challenges and obstacles in her life and career. She was, as critic Robert Hughes called her, “the Mother Courage of Abstract Expressionism”
