Painter
Helen Frankenthaler
Helen Frankenthaler was an American painter whose soak-stain technique helped reshape postwar abstraction by allowing thinned paint to soak directly into raw canvas.
Helen Frankenthaler quick facts
A concise reference for her life, work, and painting approach.
| Born | December 12, 1928 · New York City, New York, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Died | December 27, 2011 · Darien, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Associated movements | Abstract Expressionism and Color Field painting |
| Paint media | Oil paint · Enamel paint · Acrylic paint |
| Painting method | Pouring and staining thinned paint into unprimed canvas, later combined with more defined acrylic shapes |
| Notable works | Mountains and Sea, Mauve District, Commune, and Chairman of the Board |
Sources: The Museum of Modern Art, MoMA: Helen Frankenthaler: A Grand Sweep, and The Met: Helen Frankenthaler in her studio.