Pagan Void

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.

1948

The Subjects of the Artist school

With William Baziotes, Mark Rothko, Robert Motherwell and David Hare he founds the Subjects of the Artist School at 35 East 8th Street; its well-attended public lectures feature speakers such as Jean Arp, John Cage and Ad Reinhardt.