Origins & Early Life

Willem de Kooning ( də KOO-ning, Dutch: [ˈʋɪləm də ˈkoːnɪŋ]; April 24, 1904 – March 19, 1997) was a Dutch abstract expressionist artist. Born in Rotterdam, in the Netherlands, he moved to the United States in 1926, becoming a U.S. citizen in 1962. In 1943, he married painter Elaine Fried.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

In the years after World War II, De Kooning painted in a style that came to be referred to as abstract expressionism or "action painting", and was part of a group of artists that came to be known as the New York School. Other painters in this group included Jackson Pollock, Elaine de Kooning, Lee Krasner, Franz Kline, Arshile Gorky, Mark Rothko, Hans Hofmann, John Ferren, Nell Blaine, Conrad Marca-Relli, James Brooks, Adolph Gottlieb, Jack Tworkov, Norman Lewis, Anne Ryan, Robert Motherwell, Philip Guston, Clyfford Still, and Richard Pousette-Dart. De Kooning's retrospective held at MoMA in 2011–2012 rendered him one of the best-known artists of the 20th century. Willem de Kooning was born in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, on April 24, 1904. His parents, Leendert de Kooning and Cornelia Nobel, were divorced in 1907, and De Kooning lived first with his father and...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Anton Chekhov — Contemporary (Died in 1904) (1904): Master of Russian literature, celebrated for poignant realism and subtle drama.
• Allen Ginsberg — Contemporary (Died in 1997) (1997): Pioneering American poet, central figure of the Beat Generation, known for 'Howl'.
• Asa Butterfield — Contemporary (Born in 1997) (1997): English actor known for roles in 'Sex Education' and early film recognition.
• Bethany Antonia — Contemporary (Born in 1997) (1997): British actress and singer known for roles in fantasy and television dramas.
• Barbra Streisand — Shared historical date (04-24 · Born) (1942): Iconic American vocalist and actress known for her powerful voice and enduring career.
• Bridget Riley — Shared historical date (04-24 · Born) (1931): Pioneering Op Art painter celebrated for optical illusion and vibrant geometric abstraction.
• Adalbert Gyrowetz — Shared historical date (03-19 · Died) (1850): Czech-Austrian composer known for symphonies and string quartets.
• Alexis of Russia — Shared historical date (03-19 · Born) (1629): Tsar of All Russia, second Romanov to rule, known for legal reforms and wars.
• 1904 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1904
• April 24 (04-24) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on April 24
• 1997 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1997
• March 19 (03-19) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on March 19