Origins & Early Life

Helen Frankenthaler (December 12, 1928 – December 27, 2011) was an American abstract expressionist painter. She was a major contributor to the history of postwar American painting. Having exhibited her work for over six decades (early 1950s until 2011), she spanned several generations of abstract painters while continuing to produce vital and ever-changing new work. Frankenthaler began exhibiting her large-scale abstract expressionist paintings in contemporary museums and galleries in the early 1950s.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

She was included in the 1964 Post-Painterly Abstraction exhibition curated by Clement Greenberg that introduced a newer generation of abstract painting that came to be known as color field. Born in Manhattan, she was influenced by Greenberg, Hans Hofmann, and Jackson Pollock's paintings. Her work has been the subject of several retrospective exhibitions, including a 1989 retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, and been exhibited worldwide since the 1950s. In 2001, she was awarded the National Medal of Arts. Frankenthaler had a home and studio in Darien, Connecticut.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Helen Frankenthaler was born on December 12, 1928, in New York City. Her...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Agnès Varda — Contemporary (Born in 1928) (1928): Pioneering French filmmaker, artist, and documentarian celebrated for her unique vision.
• Alan J. Pakula — Contemporary (Born in 1928) (1928): American film director, writer, and producer known for political thrillers.
• Alexander Bogdanov — Contemporary (Died in 1928) (1928): Polymath philosopher, pioneer of blood transfusion, and key Bolshevik revolutionary.
• Amy Winehouse — Contemporary (Died in 2011) (2011): Iconic British soul artist blending jazz, R&B, and retro sounds.
• Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu — Contemporary (Died in 2011) (2011): Prominent Nigerian politician and military leader, best known for leading Biafra.
• Cy Twombly — Contemporary (Died in 2011) (2011): American artist known for large-scale, calligraphic, and graffiti-like works.
• Alexander I of Russia — Shared historical date (12-12 · Born) (1777): Emperor of Russia during the Napoleonic era, known for liberal reforms and military campaigns.
• Bob Pettit — Shared historical date (12-12 · Born) (1932): NBA star and coach, known for his dominance with the Milwaukee/St. Louis Hawks.
• Benazir Bhutto — Shared historical date (12-27 · Died) (2007): Pioneering Pakistani stateswoman, first woman PM in a Muslim-majority nation.
• Carrie Fisher — Shared historical date (12-27 · Died) (2016): Iconic actress and writer, best known for Princess Leia in Star Wars.
• 1928 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1928
• December 12 (12-12) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on December 12
• 2011 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 2011
• December 27 (12-27) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on December 27