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Joan Mitchell


Synopsis


Joan Mitchell (artist), Sarah Rehm Roberts (editor), Katy Siegel (editor), Paul Auster (writer of supplementary textual content), San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (issuing body), Baltimore Museum of Art (host institution)

Summary

Chapter 1: Early Years

* Traces Joan Mitchell's childhood and adolescence in Chicago and Paris.
* Explores her early artistic influences, including her mother's love of flowers and her attendance at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Example: Mitchell's 1946 painting "Composition" exemplifies her early abstract expressionist style and use of vibrant colors.

Chapter 2: New York City

* Highlights Mitchell's move to New York City in 1947 and her immersion in the vibrant art scene.
* Discusses her association with the Eighth Street Club and her interactions with artists like Willem de Kooning and Franz Kline.

Example: Mitchell's 1950 painting "Edith" captures the energy and chaos of New York City, with its bold brushstrokes and dynamic composition.

Chapter 3: Paris

* Examines Mitchell's return to Paris in 1955 and her subsequent artistic evolution.
* Explores her influence by French painting and her friendships with artists like Jean-Paul Riopelle and Sam Francis.

Example: Mitchell's 1959 painting "City Landscape" reflects her fascination with the rooftops and streets of Paris, using layers of paint and energetic lines.

Chapter 4: The Late Years

* Documents Mitchell's later life and work, including her return to New York in 1975 and her battle with cancer.
* Analyzes her shift towards more figurative and lyrical paintings in her later years.

Example: Mitchell's 1985 painting "Triptych #2" conveys her emotional and physical struggles during her illness, with its muted colors and fragmented forms.

Chapter 5: Legacy and Influence

* Explores Mitchell's enduring impact on the art world and her role as an inspiration to younger artists.
* Discusses her pioneering female perspective and her contributions to abstract expressionism.

Example: Joan Mitchell's influence is evident in the work of contemporary artists like Julie Mehretu, whose abstract paintings evoke urban landscapes and explore themes of identity and history.