Decoding the Mystery: What Makes Lee Krasner’s “The Seasons” So Compelling?
Abstract art. The words alone can evoke a range of reactions – frustration, confusion, or, occasionally, a surprising sense of connection. But what is it about these non-representational pieces that captivates so many? We’ve explored intriguing abstract works before – from a bridge scene to colorful buckets – each demanding a different kind of engagement. Today, we’re delving into a more challenging piece: “The Seasons,” painted in 1957 by the Brooklyn-born artist Lee Krasner. This isn’t a straightforward depiction of reality; it’s an invitation to explore, to question, and perhaps, to unlock something within ourselves.
A Canvas of Browns, Greens, and Pink – And a Whole Lot of Questions
“The Seasons” is a relatively large canvas – 17 feet long – dominated by a restrained palette: browns, muted greens, expansive swathes of pink, and scattered flecks of yellow. At first glance, it’s difficult to pin down. There are no recognizable objects, no clear narrative. But look closer. The paint is applied in a layered manner – thin washes in some areas, thick, almost dripping textures in others. You can almost feel the movement of the brush, the urgency of the artist. Swirling forms dominate the canvas, surrounded by smaller, more defined circles. Some edges suggest foliage, hinting at natural elements.
“The Seasons” by Lee Krasner, currently on display at the Whitney Museum of American Art.
Whitney Museum of American Art
The Power of Pareidolia: Why Your Brain Seeks Faces
It’s fascinating to acknowledge that our brains are wired to find patterns, even where none exist. This phenomenon is known as pareidolia – the tendency to see faces in inanimate objects, hear voices in static, or interpret random shapes as familiar figures. “The Seasons” is particularly fertile ground for pareidolia. Many viewers report seeing faces and figures within the swirling forms, a testament to our innate desire to impose meaning on the world around us.
Did you know? Pareidolia isn’t just a quirk of the human mind; it’s a survival mechanism. Recognizing patterns – whether a predator in the trees or a friendly face – could have been crucial to our ancestors’ survival.
More Than Just Paint: Krasner’s Personal Landscape
“The Seasons” wasn’t created in a vacuum. Krasner was navigating a profoundly challenging period in her life. In 1956, she left her home in Paris, seeking space and distance from her husband, Jackson Pollock, and the strain of their marriage. This was a time of immense grief and upheaval. The painting, created shortly after her return to Long Island, offers a glimpse into this emotional landscape.
Mark Patiky, via the Pollock-Krasner House and Study Center
This is the floor of the barn at the Pollock-Krasner house. It’s open for visitors starting in May.
Interestingly, Krasner painted this on the floor of Pollock’s barn studio, a space he famously used for his large-scale “drip” paintings. The contrast between Pollock’s chaotic, floor-based approach and Krasner’s more controlled, vertical expanse is striking.
A Curator’s Insight: Slowing Down and Observing
Kim Conaty, the chief curator at the Whitney Museum, offers valuable advice for engaging with abstract art. “I don’t want everything explained,” Krasner famously said in a 1979 interview. “It makes me uncomfortable.” Conaty echoes this sentiment, suggesting that viewers should “slow down, look harder, try to imagine, like what it was to make this work.”
Pro Tip: When faced with an abstract piece you don’t immediately understand, try focusing on the physical aspects of the painting – the texture of the paint, the way the colors interact, the brushstrokes themselves.
Conaty herself credits a required Art History 101 class with sparking her appreciation for abstraction. “What was the thing that caught my attention and maybe changed my entire path? It was abstraction,” she explained. “I just couldn’t get over these new forms, new ideas, new worlds and the idea that through abstraction an artist could make a world that you’ve never seen before.”
Beyond the Surface: Exploring Feelings and Intent
Conaty encourages viewers to ask themselves deeper questions about the painting: “What feelings does this evoke? What does it mean to paint a feeling?” The painting was created during a period of intense personal turmoil for Krasner, and it’s possible that the swirling forms and vibrant colors represent her emotional state.
Krasner’s own words provide further insight: “How could this so-called ‘serene’ or ‘alive,’ very ‘alive’ painting come through at a moment when I was as depressed as I was or as low as one could be? Well, I registered that this was happening but I certainly had not been able to explain it in any way.”
Engage and Explore
“The Seasons” invites us to confront our own assumptions about art and beauty. It’s a reminder that meaning isn’t always literal, and that sometimes the most powerful art is the art that challenges us to think, to feel, and to see the world in a new light.
Want to learn more? Visit the Whitney Museum of American Art to experience “The Seasons” firsthand. Explore the Pollock-Krasner House and Study Center on Long Island to delve deeper into the lives of these two groundbreaking artists.
Share your thoughts! What do you see in “The Seasons”? Do you find it challenging or rewarding? Let us know in the comments below.