The image above is of the painting «Interchange» by Willem de Kooning. It was sold for 300 million USD in 2015. It was painted in 1955 and classified as «abstract expressionism» by the «experts» (good grief the experts!). The painting, oil on canvas measuring 200,7 x 175,3 cm, hangs in the private collection of Kenneth C. Griffin, an American hedge fund manager…
I reckon that having been sold for that incredible amount of US dollars one can say that it is the best abstract art painting in existence today. Right? Well, no… When I taught art to pre-schoolers I saw many compositions that would rival this one, for sure. But, beauty, and worth, is in the eye of the beholder, and Mr. Griffin beheld this painting and bought it, it set a record, and now it is the highest paid abstract work, of the ones in the market for there are some in museums that will never be sold and we will never know how much they would sell for.
Reference «Bad» abstract art, or what I think is bad, well…
CHEERS
JaZzArt en València 
❤
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🙏😊🙏
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Like you said, it’s all in the eyes of the beholder. There are some forms of art I do not even rate, most of them contemporary.
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It is in the art of the beholder, the ultimate critic and judge, for sure. But KC all art is/has been contemporary. An artist working today has to paint what is going on today… thank you KC and all the best.
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Valid point! 🤣
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😊
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I’m pretty much in agreement with your observations here Francesc. Thank for the education.
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Thank you Malc! I am glad you agree. All the best!
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Beauty and worth….in the eye of the beholder! Agree! Most people would look at a painting and say that looks like that person, or those trees look real…it has meaning, but when the word abstract is used most would simply say that’s nice or not nice! If one had the money, they would say…is this going to increase in value….?
What does «abstract» really mean, especially in art?
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Beauty is most certainly in the eye of the beholder, but value, in the art world is in the control of some (big galleries and museums which give recognition and thus make the piece an investment for collectors). Abstract art is that art which has nothing to do, no relationship at all, with anything that we can see or identify in the natural world. It is created with colours and with geometrical figures only. If it has recognisable traits, or figures, even if distorted and surreal, it then becomes figurative. Hope this answers your question. And thank you so much Ashley. All the best.
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I once was told by a businessman acquaintance of mine that something is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. Most would agree that 300 million is quite high for the painting above. Yet, someone thought it was worth that much on that day. That’s all that is needed for the seller to make the deal. There may not be another person on the planet who would pay so much but someone did, and I certainly don’t understand why. But, I guess that’s what makes humanity interesting. Not all people place the same value on things. Golly, if I had been the seller of the painting above, I would have been quite happy with 100 million. Honestly, it would depend how much I paid for it but say I got it at a yard sale for ten bucks. I would have parted with it for a couple thousand (after having appraised of course to make sure it wasn’t worth more.)
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You are right and that is so true Chris. In fact the «Salvator Mundi» which sold for over 400 million US Dollars, once was sold for a few bucks at a yard sale in Louisiana…
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Wow. That was some find. Thank you for this interesting post.
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You’re welcome.
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I bid a buck and a half. (If the frame is decent.)
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Hehehe 🤣
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There is a deep connection from yourself that lies within your art,only you will understand, it’s ruff with a storie background only you can tell your audience what your art is about,I like it it’s great👌
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Thank you so much!
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You welcome bother
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You welcome brother
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I love the art of Kandinsky and Richter… but I must disagree with your summarisation that you should not start a career in abstract. I have really only begun to paint in earnest since 2020 (Covid lockdowns) and felt immediately drawn to abstract work… having no interest at all in producing figurative or landscape work. I began researching abstract like some kind of a crazy person, and started producing my own work to experiment with different techniques. I’ve probably produced over a hundred paintings in the meantime since, and am still experimenting and learning, so it’s certainly working for me. 🙂
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Well, if your approach to art is “whatever works”, then great. But if you approach art as a career, a profession, your preparation should be more rounded and complete. The artistic problems you encounter in abstract art are the same as in figurative, therefore it is important for an abstract artist to know and understand composition and most importantly colour theory.
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