A pioneer of Abstract Expressionism, artist Lee Krasner’s pivotal role in that movement and her exceptional contributions to it were largely overshadowed by those of her male contemporaries — in particular, Jackson Pollock, whom she married in 1945.
Lee Krasner was born Lena Krassner in Brooklyn, New York, to Russian-Jewish refugee parents. She attended the Women’s Art School of Cooper Union and the esteemed National Academy of Design, graduating in 1932 during the height of the Great Depression. Krasner supported herself as a model and cocktail waitress until 1934, when she began painting murals for the Works Progress Administration, which kept her steadily employed until the agency closed in 1943. During that time, Krasner studied under Hans Hofmann and became a fixture on the New York art scene, joining the American Abstract Artists and the Artists Union.
A World War II–era commission had Krasner overseeing the creation of 19 pro-war store window displays in New York City. She recruited a handful of artists she dubbed her “misfits” for the project. Among them were Willem de Kooning and Pollock.
Throughout their 11-year marriage, Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner had an indelible influence on each other. While he painted in the bright, expansive barn studio, she worked in a small bedroom, where she produced her “Little Images” series, small-scale works loaded with paint, today considered among her most important contributions to Abstract Expressionism.
Lee Krasner’s art includes rich mosaics, Cubist drawings, assemblages and the epochal collages she produced in 1954–55, which incorporated scraps from her and Pollock’s discarded work and echoed the striking palettes of Matisse, one of her heroes. Krasner’s collages remain among her most celebrated pieces.
After Pollock’s death in 1956, Krasner moved into his barn studio, where she created large-scale paintings, including the 17-foot-wide The Seasons. She had her long-overdue first solo exhibition at London’s Whitechapel Gallery in 1965, and her second in 1975 at the Whitney Museum of American Art. Those and other major solo exhibitions finally brought her the recognition she deserved for her contributions to the art world.
In 1978, Krasner was given her rightful place next to the likes of Mark Rothko, de Kooning and Pollock in the Whitney’s exhibition “Abstract Expressionism: The Formative Years.” Her U.S. retrospective opened at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston in 1983 and ended at the Museum of Modern Art in New York after her death in 1984.
Lee Krasner’s paintings continue to be in high demand. In 2019, her 1960 work The Eye Is the First Circle sold at auction for $11.7 million, breaking her 2017 auction record of $5.5 million.
Find a collection of Lee Krasner art on 1stDibs.
$1,000
Ashawagh Hall: The Springs Artists' Exhibition Poster /// Lee Krasner Pollock
By Lee Krasner
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: Lee Krasner (American, 1908-1984) Title: "Ashawagh Hall: The Springs Artists' Exhibition" Series: Ashawagh Hall Posters *Signed by Krasner in the...
Lithograph
Free Space - Blue
By Lee Krasner
Located in Toronto, Ontario
The essence of Lee Krasner's (1908-1984) biography is familiar to anyone who has studied women's role in 20th century art history: An accomplished artist whose own output gets eclips...
Screen
Water No. 5 - Post War Abstract Gouache on Paper, 1969
By Lee Krasner
Located in Palm Desert, CA
"Water No. 5" is an abstract gouache on howell paper painting by Lee Krasner in 1969. The artwork is 12 1/4 x 9 1/4 inches and is 18 1/4 x 15 1/4 x 1 1/4 inches with the frame, weigh...
Paper, Gouache
The Basque Suite: Untitled
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Edition of 150 104.1 x 71.7 cms (41 x 28 1/4 ins)
Screen
$1,680Sale Price|20% Off
H 30 in W 40 in D 0.25 in
Abstract Expressionist Original Gouache on paper Collage style of de Kooning
Located in Soquel, CA
Abstract Expressionist Original Gouache on paper and Collage Abstract Gouache and Paper Collage by Harold Winer (American, 1913-2006). Image 30"H x 40"W Slat with white paint .25" ...
Gouache, Illustration Board, Laid Paper
WORKING ON IT INCESSANTLY
By Mary Corita (Sister Corita) Kent
Located in Santa Monica, CA
CORITA KENT (Sister Mary Corita) 1918–1986 WORKING ON IT INCESSANTLY, ca. 1970 Color serigraph. Signed and numbered in ink 200/. In generally good condition. Image 22 3/8 x 11 1/2, sheet 23 x 12 1/4 inches. Provenance: Marjorie Kauffman Graphics on original period label. Sister Corita is highly important in the development of modern use of serigraphy with highly charged social and political content expressed in strong colors and dynamic composition. She often made biblical and well as literary references as a major part of the composition. She taught printmaking at Immaculate Heart...
Screen
Warm Beach (#108)
By Joyce Kozloff
Located in Austin, TX
Acrylic and graphite on canvas. Signed and titled verso. 59 x 58.5 in. 61 x 60.25 in. (framed) Custom framed in a maple floater with a polyurethane clear coat finish. Provenance B...
Canvas, Acrylic, Graphite
Sonata
By Mark Tobey
Located in New York, NY
A very good, richly-inked impression of this color screenprint on Japon nacré. The deluxe, Roman numeral edition of 60 on Japon nacré, aside from the regular edition of 100. Signed a...
Color, Screen
$1,440Sale Price|20% Off
H 40 in W 30 in D 0.13 in
Mid-Century Abstract Expressionist Composition with Blue, Purple, and Pink
By Les Anderson
Located in Soquel, CA
Mid-Century Abstract Expressionist Composition with Blue, Purple, and Pink Colorful mid-century abstract expressionist painting by Les (Leslie Luverne) Anderson (American, 1928-2009...
Masonite, Oil
$795
H 15 in W 22 in
Alexander Calder Abstract Lithograph, 1973, Unframed, Derriere le Miroir 201
By Alexander Calder
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Alexander Calder Title: Derriere le Miroir #201 Portfolio: Derriere le Miroir #201 Medium: Lithograph Year: 1973 Edition: Unnumbered Sheet Size: 22" x 15" Image Size: 22" x 1...
Lithograph
Untitled (#222)
Located in Austin, TX
Waterline Fine Art, Austin, TX is pleased to present the following work: Oil on canvas. Signed and dated verso. 49.5 x 34.5 in. 51 x 36.25 in. (framed) Custom framed in a maple fl...
Canvas, Oil
$995
H 22.5 in W 29.5 in
Joan Miro Lithograph, Abstract, 1971, Framed, Le Bélier Fleuri
By Joan Miró
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Joan Miro Medium: Original lithograph Title: Le Bélier Fleuri Portfolio: Derriere le Miroir Miro: Peintures sur Papier Year: 1971 Frame...
Lithograph
$354
H 37.41 in W 23.63 in
Copa del Mundo (Soccer, Alicante) - Vintage Lithograph Poster, 1982
Located in Paris, IDF
Pierre ALECHINSKY Copa del Mundo, 1982 Original Lithograph (Maeght workshop) Printed signature in the plate On heavy paper 95 x 60 cm (c. 35 x 24 inch) Created for International Foo...
Lithograph
$1,800Sale Price|20% Off
H 33 in W 41.5 in D 1.25 in
Abstract Expressionist Composition with Stairs in Gouache and Ink on Paper
Located in Soquel, CA
Abstract Expressionist Composition with Stairs in Gouache and Ink on Paper Bold abstract composition by Pacific Northwest artist Karen Guzak (American, b. 1939). A large, dark blue ...
Ink, Gouache, Handmade Paper
forget, Shiryu Morita, 1964 (#000881)
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Shiryu Morita (1912-1998) forget 1964 Ink on paper, mounted on board in frame 32,2 (37) x 45,5 (50) cm Title, signature and seal on label on plate (bac...
Paper, Ink
Sold
H 19.63 in W 26.25 in
Free Space /// Lee Krasner Screenprint Abstract Expressionist Female Artist Art
By Lee Krasner
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: Lee Krasner (American, 1908-1984) Title: "Free Space" Portfolio: An American Portrait, 1776-1976 (Vol. 3) *Signed and numbered by Krasner in pencil lower left Year: 1975 Medi...
Screen
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H 29.88 in W 23.75 in
Ashawagh Hall: The Springs Artists' Exhibition Poster (Signed) /// Female Artist
By Lee Krasner
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: Lee Krasner (American, 1908-1984) Title: "Ashawagh Hall: The Springs Artists' Exhibition" Series: Ashawagh Hall Posters *Signed and numbered by Krasner in pencil lower center. It is also signed in the plate (printed signature) lower right Year: 1974 Medium: Original Lithograph, Exhibition Poster on heavy wove paper Limited edition: 1/25, (there was also an unsigned edition of approx. 500) Printer: Unknown Publisher: Ashawagh Hall, East Hampton, NY Framing: Recently framed in a contemporary dark brown wood moulding with frame space. All archival Framed size: 29.88" x 23.75" Sheet size: 28.5" x 22.63" Image size: 28" x 22.13" Condition: Colors are attenuated. Some mild water staining that has caused discoloration and general wear lower right. In otherwise good condition will full margins Extremely rare Notes: Provenance: private collection - Pompano Beach...
Lithograph
Peace Portfolio
By Lee Krasner
Located in Toronto, Ontario
In recent years, there has been a concerted effort by scholars, dealers, and curators to reexamine the canon of art history in hopes of including (and reevaluating) more female artists. One of the artists that have been at the forefront of this new mentality and activity is unquestionably Lee Krasner (1908-1984). How and why has she been marginalized from the narrative surrounding the development and importance of Abstract Expressionism is finally being addressed. And finally, she is being appraised as an important contributor to American abstraction and not simply Jackson Pollock's wife. We highly recommend Gail Levin's biography of Lee Krasner. This work, a paradigm of Lee Krasner's signature gestural style, was published in 1970 by the Academic and Professional Action Committee for a Responsible Congress. It was included in the “Peace Portfolio...
Lithograph
Marlborough
By Lee Krasner
Located in Toronto, Ontario
In recent years, there has been a concerted effort, by scholars, dealers, and curators to reexamine the canon of art history in hopes of including (and reevaluating) more female arti...
Lithograph, Offset
Pink Stone (also called Rose Stone)
By Lee Krasner
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
An original signed lithograph on Arches paper by American artist Lee Krasner (1908-1984) titled "Pink Stone (also called Rose Stone)", 1969. Hand pencil sig...
Lithograph
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H 40 in W 25 in D 0.1 in
Embrace, Geometric Abstract Silkscreen by Lee Krasner Pollock 1974
By Lee Krasner
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Lee Lenore Krasner, American (1908 - 1984) Title: Embrace Year: 1974 Medium: Silkscreen, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 200 Paper Size: 40 x 25 inches (101.6 x 63.5 cm)
Screen
Sold
H 12 in W 18 in
Poem /// Abstract Expressionist Female Artist Post-War NY Modern Lithograph MoMA
By Lee Krasner
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: Lee Krasner (American, 1908-1984) Title: "Poem" Portfolio: In Memory of My Feelings *Issued unsigned Year: 1967 (First edition) Medium: Original Lithograph on Mohawk Superfine Smooth paper Limited edition: 514/2,500 Printer: Crafton Graphic Company, Inc., New York, NY Publisher: The Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY Reference: "Lee Krasner: A Catalogue Raisonné" - Landau No. 447, page 236-237; "Lee Krasner" - Hobbs No. 64, page 143 Sheet size: 12" x 18" Condition: In excellent condition Rare Notes: With centerfold as issued. Numbered on colophon page. Comes from the 1967 "In Memory of My Feelings: A Selection of Poems" book volume by Frank O'Hara with approx. 46 unbound original lithographs by various artists. Collaboration: Edward Katz (printing). The last image of the complete book is for reference/provenance; it is not included. This image Krasner contributed to "In Memory of My Feelings: A Selection of Poems" by Frank O'Hara, edited by Bill Berkson, for the Museum of Modern Art. The project was published in 1967 in memory of Frank O'Hara, poet and associate curator at the museum, who died in a tragic accident in 1966. Bill Berkson (with the assistance of Kenneth Koch and John Ashbery) selected the poems and (with advice from Robert Motherwell) asked the following artists to contribute: Nell Blaine, Norman Bluhm, Joe Branaird, John Buton, Giorgio Cavallon, Allan D'Arcangelo, Elaine de Kooning, Willem de Kooning, Niki de Saint-Phalle, Helen Frankenthaler, Jane Freilicher, Michael Goldberg, Philip Guston, Grace Hartigan, Al Held, Jasper Johns, Matsumi Kanemitsu, Alex Katz, Lee Krasner, Alfred Leslie, Roy Lichtenstein, Marisol, Joan Mitchell, Robert Motherwell, Reuben Nakian, Barnett Newman, Claes Oldenburg, Robert Rauschenberg, Larry Rivers, and Jane Wilson...
Lithograph
Sold
H 40 in W 25 in D 0.1 in
Embrace, Geometric Abstract Silkscreen by Lee Krasner Pollock 1974
By Lee Krasner
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Lee Lenore Krasner, American (1908 - 1984) Title: Embrace Year: 1974 Medium: Silkscreen, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 200 Paper Size: 40 x 25 inches (101.6 x 63.5 cm)
Screen
Free Space - Lee Krasner - Serigraph - Contemporary
By Lee Krasner
Located in Roma, IT
Free Space is an original serigraph on paper, created by the female artist Lee Krasner, a major exponent of Abstract Expressionism. Edition of 52/175, numb...
Screen
Peace, Abstract Silkscreen by Lee Krasner Pollock
By Lee Krasner
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Lee Lenore Krasner Title: Peace from the Peace Portfolio Year: 1970 Medium: Silkscreen on Arches Paper, Signed and Numbered in Pencil Edition: 165/175 Size: 21 in. x 26 in. (...
Screen
Peace, Abstract Silkscreen by Lee Krasner Pollock
By Lee Krasner
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Lee Lenore Krasner Title: Peace from the Peace Portfolio Year: 1970 Medium: Silkscreen on Arches Paper, Signed and Numbered in Pencil Edition: 165/175 Size: 21 in. x 26 in. (...
Screen
Free Space
By Lee Krasner
Located in Missouri, MO
"Free Space" 1975 Color Screenprint Artist Signed Lower Center "Lee Krasner" and Numbered XXII/L Image Size: approx 19 x 26 inches Framed Size: approx 24.25 x 30.25 inchesmodern A...
Screen