Book SummaryNinth Street Women, by Mary Gabriel

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Ninth Street Women

The book narrates the transformative experiences and the crucial involvement of five trailblazing women in the emergence of the Abstract Expressionist movement.

The formative years and evolution of Lee Krasner in the fine arts domain.

Krasner's development as an artist was influenced by her foundational arts education and exposure to modernist movements from Europe.

Lee Krasner pursued her artistic journey with a steadfast dedication to traditional instruction, simultaneously welcoming the emerging wave of modern art from Europe. Gabriel details Krasner's early art education in New York, from her start at Washington Irving High School to her progression to the prestigious Cooper Union, where she honed her foundational skills in traditional methods of depicting live subjects in her artwork, which became essential for her later endeavors in the realm of non-representational art.

Gabriel emphasizes that Krasner faced significant obstacles in her initial stages, especially her departure from conventional academic standards, which frequently led to her being unjustly judged as lacking success. Despite the initial assessment, Krasner's abilities remained undiminished. By challenging her instructors, she was carving out a unique trajectory for herself. Gabriel's teachers frequently expressed their concern, saying, "This pupil is determined to proceed according to her personal preferences."

Krasner's commitment to her craft deepened after she was admitted to the National Academy of Design in 1928. Gabriel describes Krasner's advanced education in modernism, which started at the Academy and spanned many subsequent years. The Museum of Modern Art, founded in the 1930s, was instrumental in introducing avant-garde European art from that period to New York. Gabriel emphasizes the profound influence that the inaugural Modern exhibition, which showcased the works of artists like Cézanne, Gauguin, Seurat, and van Gogh, had on Krasner, portraying it as a revelatory experience that solidified her confidence in her artistic pursuits.

Krasner often pursued her artistic journey, visiting numerous galleries, among them the Museum of Modern Art, to admire the works of European masters. Gabriel emphasizes that her thorough integration of artistic knowledge went beyond Cubist influences, also embracing works deemed "primitive" and the distinctive methods associated with Impressionism and Expressionism. Art, irrespective of its provenance or historical period, possessed a mysterious characteristic that enabled the artists to imbue their work with a reflection of their personal spirit. Lee Krasner's deep understanding of modernist concepts in her artistry can be attributed to her enrollment in Hans Hofmann's school in 1937.

Context

• Hans Hofmann was a German-born artist and teacher who played a significant role in introducing European modernist ideas to American artists. His school in New York was a hub for learning about abstraction and modernist techniques.
• These methods typically include classical drawing and painting techniques, such as life drawing, perspective, anatomy, and the study of light and shadow, which are essential for developing a strong technical foundation in art.
• The modernist movement, which Krasner was drawn to, was still gaining acceptance in the United States, and many traditional institutions were resistant to these new ideas, viewing them as radical or unrefined.
• Founded in 1825, the National Academy of Design was a prestigious institution in New York City, known for its rigorous training in the fine arts. It played a significant role in shaping American art by promoting traditional techniques and academic standards.
• Artists like Cézanne, Gauguin, Seurat, and van Gogh, whose works were featured in MoMA's exhibitions, were pivotal in the development of modern art, each contributing unique techniques and perspectives that broke away from classical art traditions.
• Cubism, pioneered by artists like Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, is an early 20th-century art movement that abandoned perspective, instead depicting subjects from multiple angles simultaneously. This approach influenced many modern artists by encouraging abstraction and a break from traditional representation.
• Enrolling in Hofmann's school allowed Krasner to refine her technique and expand her artistic vocabulary. This education helped her transition from representational art to the more abstract and expressive style that defined her later work.

Krasner's dedication to social activism profoundly shaped her artistic development and her interactions with her peers in the art community.

Lee Krasner distinguished herself by weaving her commitment to social justice into her artistic pursuits. Gabriel highlights the difficulty in staying balanced and notes that Krasner's artwork did not serve as a depiction of her political beliefs. She was involved in efforts spanning two separate domains: She utilized her organizational skills to create a more equitable environment for fellow artists and then withdrew to her personal studio to delve deeply into her artistic process. Krasner's commitment was clear, as she emerged as a central figure among her contemporaries beginning in the 1930s.

Krasner's considerable impact within the Artists Union, which was founded in 1934, stemmed from her engaging character more than from her contributions to art. She associated with artists such as Gorky and Bill de Kooning, who collectively dedicated themselves to forging distinct creative trajectories and equally embraced the challenges of enduring the Great Depression's financial struggles. To accomplish their objective, they formed a group committed to informing artists of possible job openings, an essential endeavor at a time when their economic security could not be assured.

Gabriel recounts how Krasner and her contemporaries came together to campaign for job openings in the...

Ninth Street Women Summary The seismic shifts in society and politics brought about by World War II completely altered New York's artistic environment, paving the way for the emergence of Abstract Expressionism.

New York became the new hub for intellectuals and artists from Europe.

Artists fleeing Nazi oppression found a vital haven and support at the Museum of Modern Art.

The global conflict known as the Second World War served as a catalyst for significant transformations in all aspects of life, impacting people on a personal level and instigating widespread global shifts. Mary Gabriel chronicles the rise of a significant art movement in New York, culminating as Abstract Expressionism became prominent at a time characterized by the financial hardships of the Great Depression and became firmly entrenched as the United States entered World War II in 1941.

As the war began, many male artists and sculptors with studios scattered across Greenwich Village enlisted or were drafted to fight against the Axis forces, clinging to the belief that the conclusion of these terrible times would usher in a peaceful period favorable for the flourishing of the arts. Numerous individuals were not returning. When they came back, they realized that their environment had significantly transformed from the once recognizable landscape. Their perspectives on themselves underwent a significant...