The Annotated Mona Lisa: Pages 158 - 159

Question 1

Abstract Expressionism

Answer 1

• stressed energy, action, kineticism, and freneticism
• started to take form in late 1940s and early ’50s
• Pollock made a revolutionary breakthrough by abandoning the paintbrush altogether
• art no longer was required to imitate tame visual appearance

Question 2

Arshile Groky

Answer 2

• 1904-48
• pioneered automatic painting in the U.S.
• favored oval splotches of flowing primary colors like yellow and red

Question 3

Jackson Pollock

Answer 3

• 1912-56

- abstract paintings that embodied his psychic state at the moment of their creation