Hans Hofmann

WHOS WHO? - WHAT IF? METROPOLIS

Biography
Hans Hofmann was a German-born American abstract
expressionist painter, who was a live between 1880 and
1966. He is well known for his wildly colourful and exuberant
paintings that filled the canvas. His style of work help him
become a major pioneer in the progress of Abstract
Expressionism, and is now considered to be one of the most
important figures in post-war American Art.

Abstract Expressionism: An artistic movement of the mid20th century comprising diverse styles and techniques and
emphasizing especially an artist's liberty to convey attitudes
and emotions through non-traditional and usually
nonrepresentational means

Fig.1 Hans Hoffman

Inspirations
Hofmann had many notable influences,
including the likes of Pablo Picasso, Henri
Matisse and Georges Braque. The styles of
these artists, as well as some others, helped
Hofmann get his now well-known method of
painting. He was not only influenced by Artists,
but by Art movements, also. Such movements
include cubism, surrealism, fauvism and,
obviously, expressionism.
His work has provided a source of inspiration
for many other artists including Lee Krasner and
Jackson Pollock
Fig. 2

Style
Hofmanns work is incredibly vivid with an
extraordinary amount of colour. Through a
series of rather simple shapes, he manages to
create an expressionistic style of work that was
revolutionary in the early 20th century. There
are no clear objects or drawings within his
paintings and so he leave it up to the viewer of
the painter to decide what it depicts. His use of
paint is quite unusual because he uses the
brush by going in one direction with colour
before moving onto the next and doing the
same.
Fig. 3

My Opinion
My initial feelings about his work/style is that although it is very unique and abstract, it is rather
basic. The use of colours is very effective as it makes them stand out, but his work is something
that most artists would be able to achieve.

Fig. 4 Rising Moon

Illustration List
Fig.1 Hans Hofmann http://www.everydayminimalist.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/hanshofmann.jpg - (Accessed 10/06/2015)
Fig. 2 - https://s-media-cacheak0.pinimg.com/originals/7e/de/49/7ede492dc8d84d2348979d10d1d011a1.jpg -(Accessed
10/06/2015)
Fig. 3 - http://www.wikiart.org/en/hans-hofmann/august-light-1957 - (Accessed 10/06/2015)
Fig. 4 Rising Moon - http://rickyyoung.co.uk/blog/tag/hans-hoffman/ - (Accessed 10/06/2015)

Bibliography
(2015) The Artist - http://www.hanshofmann.org/about/ - (Accessed 10/06/2015)

(2014) Abstract Expressionism - http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/abstract%20expressionism - (Accessed 10/06/2015)

(2014) Hans Hofmann -

http://www.theartstory.org/artist-hofmann-hans.htm - (Accessed 10/06/2015)