Famous Abstract Expressionists
13 artists of the New York School in this collection.
Abstract Expressionism grew in New York in the 1940s and 1950s. Large canvases, gestural "action painting" and meditative colour fields made the city a new centre of modern art after the Second World War. The artists below are in the Art Icons collection and are ordered by how widely known they are (Wikipedia language editions, figures checked 2026-11-09).
Read the movement guide on Art Movements, or see the wider list of famous abstract artists.
1.Jackson Pollock
1912–1956 · American · Abstract expressionism, Action paintingJackson Pollock (1912–1956) was an American painter associated with Abstract expressionism and Action painting. Known for No. 5, 1948, Autumn Rhythm (Number 30) and Blue Poles.
2.Mark Rothko
1903–1970 · American · Abstract expressionismMark Rothko (1903–1970) was an American painter associated with Abstract expressionism. Known for Rothko Chapel.
3.Willem de Kooning
1904–1997 · Dutch-American · Abstract expressionism, Action paintingWillem de Kooning (1904–1997) was a Dutch-American painter associated with Abstract expressionism and Action painting. Known for Reclining Figure, Standing Figure and Seated Woman.
4.Helen Frankenthaler
1928–2011 · American · Abstract expressionism, Color FieldHelen Frankenthaler (1928–2011) was an American printmaker associated with Abstract expressionism and Color Field. Known for Mountains and Sea.
5.Cy Twombly
1928–2011 · American · Abstract expressionism, PostmodernismCy Twombly (1928–2011) was an American painter associated with Abstract expressionism and Postmodernism. Known for The Ceiling.
6.Franz Kline
1910–1962 · American · Abstract expressionism, Action paintingFranz Kline (1910–1962) was an American painter associated with Abstract expressionism and Action painting.
7.Robert Motherwell
1915–1991 · American · Abstract expressionismRobert Motherwell (1915–1991) was an American painter associated with Abstract expressionism. Known for calligraphy.
8.Hans Hofmann
1880–1966 · German-American · Abstract expressionismHans Hofmann (1880–1966) was a German-American painter associated with Abstract expressionism.
9.Sam Francis
1923–1994 · American · Abstract expressionismSam Francis (1923–1994) was an American painter associated with Abstract expressionism. Known for Untitled (Black Clouds).
10.Adolph Gottlieb
1903–1974 · American · Abstract expressionismAdolph Gottlieb (1903–1974) was an American painter associated with Abstract expressionism. Known for Sun Deck.
11.Morris Louis
1912–1962 · American · Abstract expressionism, Washington Color SchoolMorris Louis (1912–1962) was an American painter associated with Abstract expressionism and Washington Color School. Known for Museum of Modern Art.
12.Richard Diebenkorn
1922–1993 · American · Abstract expressionism, Bay Area Figurative MovementRichard Diebenkorn (1922–1993) was an American painter associated with Abstract expressionism and Bay Area Figurative Movement.
13.Tsugio Hattori
1951–1998 · American · Abstract expressionismTsugio Hattori (1951–1998) was an American painter associated with Abstract expressionism.
Frequently asked questions
Who are the most famous Abstract Expressionists?
In this collection the best-known include Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, Willem de Kooning, Helen Frankenthaler, Cy Twombly.
What is the difference between action painting and Colour Field?
Action painting emphasises energetic brushwork and drips (as in Jackson Pollock). Colour Field painting uses large, flat areas of colour (as in Mark Rothko). Both sit under Abstract Expressionism.