Untitled

1944

A list of “the men in the new movement”

Trying to explain America’s newest art movement, he draws up a list of “the men in the new movement”: ex-Surrealists such as Matta, Wolfgang Paalen (named twice), Gottlieb, Rothko, Pollock, Hofmann, Baziotes, Gorky and others, with Motherwell followed by a question mark. He also writes catalogue forewords and reviews and organises exhibitions.

1947

A mature style and a declaration on art’s content

Reaches his mature style — in 1946–1947 he paints “The Command” and “The Euclidean Abyss” — and declares that any art worthy of the name must address “life”, “man”, “nature”, “death” and “tragedy”.

1947

Death of his father

His father, Abraham, dies; two years later his name will be given to one of Newman’s darkest paintings.