Bridging Art and Philosophy

Robert Motherwell (1915-1991) is regarded as one of the most intellectual and philosophical figures within Abstract Expressionism. His work, characterised by a refined balance between form and content, combines his extensive knowledge of philosophy, literature, and art theory with an intense commitment to painting and collage. Motherwell saw art as a means of exploring and articulating the human experience, and his oeuvre reflects a continuous search for expression and meaning.

Photo: Hans Namuth

Early Years: The Intellectual Foundation

Robert Motherwell was born in Aberdeen, Washington, and grew up in California. His father, a banker, encouraged him to pursue an academic career, but Motherwell had a strong interest in art and literature from an early age. He studied at Stanford University, where he delved into philosophy and psychology. The works of philosophers like Friedrich Nietzsche and Henri Bergson had a lasting influence on his thinking and would later play a crucial role in his art.

During his studies, Motherwell was drawn to the ideas of the Surrealists, especially the technique of ‘automatic writing’ and painting, where the artist gives free rein to the subconscious. This technique, which would later inform his own paintings and collages, taught him to release the intellect and open himself to spontaneous creation. This process of ‘free expression’ became a foundation in his approach to art. An anecdote from this period recounts how Motherwell, during a trip to Mexico, was deeply impressed by the local art and culture. The intense colours and powerful symbolism he encountered left a lasting impact on him and inspired him to make his work more direct and expressive.

Entering the Abstract Art World

In the 1940s, Motherwell moved to New York, where he befriended artists such as Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, and Mark Rothko. In this city, he encountered the emerging movement of Abstract Expressionism, which focused on the creative process and emotional expression. Motherwell found a community of like-minded individuals who, like him, sought new forms of artistic expression and wished to break with traditional painting. Motherwell’s first major abstract works, including the series Elegies to the Spanish Republic, reflect his unique approach to abstraction. This series, which he considered a “requiem” for the Spanish Civil War, was inspired by his deep sympathy for the Republicans and his opposition to fascism. The paintings consist of large black ovals and rectangles interacting with the background, creating a sense of weight and monumentality. For Motherwell, these forms represented the struggle between life and death, and the tension between hope and despair.

In The Writings of Robert Motherwell, he describes how the Elegies not only conveyed a political message but also possessed an existential dimension. Motherwell saw the works as a way of exploring and reflecting on the complexity of human existence. For him, art and life were inseparable; his work was a way of understanding the world and his own feelings within it.

Technique and Process: The Art of Collage and Painting

Motherwell was a versatile artist who both painted and created collages. His technique was focused on balancing spontaneity with structure. He used large gestures and expressive lines but always placed these within a carefully designed composition. His collages, which he began making in the 1940s, are an essential part of his oeuvre. In these works, he combined pieces of paper and fabric with paint to create layered and meaningful compositions.

In Robert Motherwell: The Dedalus Sketchbooks, we gain a unique insight into his creative process. His sketchbooks reveal an artist constantly experimenting with forms, lines, and colours. Motherwell used his sketchbooks as a laboratory, a place to test ideas before translating them onto canvas. His collages were often inspired by his admiration for the French painter Henri Matisse, whom he considered a master of colour and form. Like Matisse, Motherwell used colour to suggest space and movement, and he saw the medium of collage as a way to engage the viewer in the physical materiality of the work.

Motherwell was also a master at combining paint and texture. In works such as Open, he experimented with using thin, almost translucent layers of paint to create a sense of depth and light. This technique, which he described as “breathing paintings,” gave his work a subtle layering. He felt that the paint on the canvas should radiate a kind of openness, a window into the inner world of the artist.

Art Philosophy: The Existential and Poetic in Art

Motherwell’s art philosophy was deeply rooted in his intellectual background. He saw painting as a form of poetry, a means of expressing human experiences and emotions that are difficult to capture in words. His work was heavily influenced by the existentialist philosophy of the 1940s and 1950s, particularly the ideas of Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus. Like them, he believed that life was fundamentally absurd, but that the artist had the opportunity to create meaning through art.

One of his most famous statements is: “Painting is a metaphor for the act of living.” For Motherwell, each painting was a search for meaning and a reflection of human struggle and joy. In his Elegies, he used black and white shapes as symbols of conflict and tension, and he believed these simple forms could evoke universal emotions. His art was intended to touch the viewer on a deep, almost intuitive level, without the need for words or explanation.

In Robert Motherwell: Pure Painting, his work is described as a dialogue between the rational and the intuitive. Motherwell saw art as a way of exploring his own feelings and sharing them with the world. His use of abstraction was a conscious choice to invite the viewer to experience his work on an emotional and intellectual level, without the distraction of recognisable objects.

Personal Life and Influences: A Poet Among Paintings

Motherwell was known for his sharp intellect and his passion for literature and poetry. He was an artist who enjoyed reading philosophical texts as much as painting. His deep appreciation for poetry, especially the works of Spanish poets like Federico García Lorca, inspired his art and gave his works a lyrical, almost musical quality. One anecdote tells how Motherwell would often work in his studio through the night, listening to classical music and reading from his favourite books. This routine of introspection and isolation was essential for him to reach the core of his artistic vision. He saw his studio as a sanctuary, a place where he could organise his thoughts and express them through paint and paper. This discipline and dedication were characteristic of Motherwell’s work ethic and life philosophy.

His personal life was not without challenges. Motherwell was married and divorced multiple times, which led to periods of emotional turmoil. Yet, his art remained a constant in his life, a source of solace and self-discovery. His works from his later years are often more introspective, revealing an artist who looks increasingly inward in his search for truth and beauty.

Legacy and Influence on Modern Art

Robert Motherwell’s influence on modern art remains profound. His approach to abstraction as a means of self-expression has inspired countless artists. Motherwell’s work is admired for its balance between intellect and emotion, and his search for meaning through form and colour continues to resonate with artists and art lovers worldwide.

His works are still exhibited and studied in museums and galleries, and his influence can be seen in contemporary abstract art. His belief that art is a metaphor for life, and his ability to convey complex emotions through simple forms and colours, make his oeuvre timeless and universal.

Sources:

1. "The Writings of Robert Motherwell"

2. "Robert Motherwell: Pure Painting"

3. "Robert Motherwell: The Dedalus Sketchbooks"

4. "Robert Motherwell: The Complete Prints 1940–1991"

5. "Robert Motherwell: Early Collages"

6. "Robert Motherwell: Open"

7. "Robert Motherwell: Collage"

8. "Robert Motherwell: Abstracts and Elegies"