20th-century American abstract painting takes center stage at Palazzo Strozzi from September 27 to January 26, 2025. The exhibition “Painting Without Rules” is the largest ever dedicated to Helen Frankenthaler in Italy.
The revolutionary art of the New York artist can be admired in a wide selection of Frankenthaler’s works, created between 1953 and 2002, sourced from the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation and from loans by major museums and private collections.
This exhibition examines Helen Frankenthaler’s artistic affinities, influences, and friendships by intertwining her works with those of some of her contemporaries—including Anthony Caro, Morris Louis, Robert Motherwell, Kenneth Noland, Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, David Smith, and Anne Truitt.
Recognized as a key figure among the second generation of postwar American abstract painters, Frankenthaler (1928-2011) played a crucial role in the transition from Abstract Expressionism to Color Field painting.
Active for more than six decades, Frankenthaler made a name for herself on the American art scene with a no-rules approach, a protean imagination, and improvisational skills that reshaped the narrative, not just for female artists, but for the entire genre.
With her innovative “soak-stain” technique, Frankenthaler explored a new relationship between color and form, expanding the potential of abstract painting in ways that continue to inspire artists today.
Working with color and space, abstraction and poetry, Frankenthaler distinguished herself through her unique ability to combine technique and imagination, research and improvisation, expanding her practice beyond established canons in her pursuit of a new freedom in painting.
A Leading Artist
Born in New York, Helen Frankenthaler studied at Bennington College under the guidance of Paul Feeley. In the 1950s, upon returning to Manhattan, she connected with key figures of the New York School, developing friendships and collaborations. This creative and stimulating environment fostered her artistic experimentation.
Among the friends and colleagues who shared her commitment to experimentation were prominent artists like Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, and Robert Motherwell, whose works will be exhibited alongside hers.
The exhibition aims to provide an opportunity to explore the work of one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, placing her in dialogue with her contemporaries and showcasing her lasting impact on abstract painting.