A pioneering abstract expressionist, creating large-scale, gestural paintings that explored the human experience and the American West. Known for his bold, expressive brushstrokes and vibrant color palette.
Clyfford Still is renowned for being one of the leading figures in the first generation of Abstract Expressionists, having developed a new, powerful approach to painting in the years immediately following World War II. His shift from representational to abstract painting, which occurred between 1938 and 1942, laid the groundwork for the movement, predating his colleagues like Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko.
Still was born on November 30, 1904, in Grandin, North Dakota, and spent his childhood in Spokane, Washington, and Bow Island in southern Alberta, Canada. He attended Spokane University from 1926 to 1927 and returned in 1931 with a fellowship, graduating in 1933. That fall, he became a teaching fellow, then faculty member at Washington State College (now Washington State University), where he obtained his Master of Fine Arts degree in 1935 and taught until 1941.
In 1937, along with Washington State colleague Worth Griffin, Still co-founded the Nespelem Art Colony, which produced hundreds of portraits and landscapes depicting Colville Indian Reservation Native American life over the course of four summers. This experience not only shaped his artistic style but also influenced his approach to art as a means of social commentary.
In the early 1940s, Still relocated to the San Francisco Bay area, where he worked in various war industries while pursuing painting. His first solo exhibition at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (then the San Francisco Museum of Art) in 1943 marked a turning point in his career, solidifying his transition to abstract painting.
In 1945, Still moved to New York City, where he became a prominent figure in the emerging Abstract Expressionist movement. Through his association with Mark Rothko, he was introduced to Peggy Guggenheim, who gave him a solo exhibition at her gallery, The Art of This Century, in 1946. This exhibition cemented his reputation as a leading Abstract Expressionist, alongside Pollock, Rothko, and others.
Still's most notable works include 1947 No. 1, 1957-D No. 1, and 1960 No. 2, which showcase his distinctive style characterized by bold, dark colors and abstract, gestural forms. His pioneering work in Abstract Expressionism paved the way for subsequent generations of artists, influencing the development of modern and contemporary art.
Throughout his career, Still received numerous awards and honors, including the Logan Medal of the Arts in 1958 and the Mark Rothko Memorial Prize in 1966. In 1979, he was elected a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
Clyfford Still's impact on modern art is immeasurable. He not only spearheaded the Abstract Expressionist movement but also inspired countless artists, including those associated with the Color Field movement, such as Helen Frankenthaler and Morris Louis. Today, his work is held in the permanent collections of major museums worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Tate Modern.
As an artist, teacher, and visionary, Clyfford Still's contributions to the world of art continue to inspire and provoke, cementing his place as one of the most important figures in the history of modern art.
Born in 1903
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Born in 1910
A prominent figure in the abstract expressionist movement, known for bold, expressive brushstrokes and vibrant colors that evoked intense emotions.
Born in 1904
A pioneering abstract expressionist, he revolutionized modern art with bold, expressive brushstrokes and vibrant colors, creating dynamic, emotive pieces that continue to inspire.
Born in 1912
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Born in 1913
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