Grace Hartigan

Study for Montauk Highway

1957

Grace Hartigan (American, 1922–2008) Grace Hartigan’s work is defined by its bold color, gestural intensity, and a striking synthesis of abstraction and figuration. A central figure in the second generation of Abstract Expressionists, she embraced both spontaneity and structure, often incorporating imagery from contemporary culture, literature, and historical painting. Hartigan was among the few women to achieve prominence in the movement, exhibiting in the landmark Ninth Street Show and becoming the first woman to have a solo exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art. Later in her career, she moved to Baltimore, where she continued painting and teaching, leaving an indelible mark on the next generation of artists. Though her contributions were sometimes overlooked in her time, Hartigan’s fearless approach to modern painting remains a vital part of American art history.