Elaine and Willem de Kooning

Elaine de Kooning was an accomplished landscape and portrait artist active in the Abstract Expressionist movement of the mid-twentieth century.

I knew about Willem and Elaine de Kooning, but I wasn't aware that they had such a turbulent history. The couple had what was later called an open marriage; they both were casual about sex and about each other's affairs. They separated for years to reunite again later in life.

Elaine's art reflected the turbulence similar to today's world of conflict and uncertainty. You can find out more about her influences in the book Ninth Street Women: Lee Krasner, Elaine de Kooning, Grace Hartigan, Joan Mitchell, and Helen Frankenthaler: Five Painters and the Movement That Changed Modern Art.

Check out other books on my book club list here.