Hans Hofmann's last lesson: a study of the artist's materials during the last decade of his career
Date
2014
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
This dissertation identifies the late-career materials of Abstract Expressionist
painter and teacher Hans Hofmann (1880-1966) and examines the relationships
apparent among the artist’s materials, his signature painting style, and the physical and
aging characteristics of his paintings. A representative catalogue of Hofmann's latecareer
materials has been built from the analysis of over 500 paint and fiber samples
focusing primarily on the last decade of the artist’s production (1955 through 1965),
and a correlation found between condition issues in Hofmann’s work and a transitional
mix of material and method endemic to Abstract Expressionist painting practice. The
results of this research could inform the conservation of Abstract Expressionist and
other works that incorporate both traditional and modern paint media by revealing a
gap in current research and preservation methodology regarding modernist painting
practice.
[see dissertation for complete text of the author's abstract]