Painter

Frank Stella

Frank Stella was an American artist whose abstract paintings repeatedly crossed into industrial paint chemistry, including alkyd enamel, urethane enamel, synthetic polymer paint, and fluorescent alkyd color.


Frank Stella quick facts

A concise reference for his materials, forms, and painting approach.

Frank Stella quick facts
Lived1936–2024
NationalityAmerican
Paint mediaAlkyd paint · Enamel paint · Fluorescent paint · synthetic polymer paint
Common formsStripes, shaped canvases, geometric systems, relief-like constructions, arcs, bands, and increasingly sculptural painted structures
Known forMoving from austere early geometric paintings into large, layered works combining painting, relief, industrial materials, and vivid synthetic color
Notable worksThe Marriage of Reason and Squalor, II, Die Fahne Hoch!, and Giufà, la luna, i ladri e le guardie

Sources: Museum of Modern Art, MoMA: Giufà, la luna, i ladri e le guardie, and MoMA: Alkyd enamel paint.