Met Museum Exhibition Reasserts Lee Krasner's Equal Status in Abstract Expressionism

Key points

• The exhibition 'Krasner and Pollock: Past Continuous' at the Met runs through January 31, 2027, and is the first to display their works side-by-side to illustrate 'creative adjacency.'
• Co-curators Brinda Kumar and David Breslin emphasize that Krasner was an equal partner, not just a muse, noting her 'sheer intelligence' and 'bravado' attracted Pollock.
• After Pollock's death in a 1956 car crash, Krasner moved into his barn studio, allowing her to paint on an unprecedented scale, including works like 'Through Blue' and 'Combat.'
• The Pollock-Krasner House in Springs, N.Y., remains largely unchanged since Krasner's death in 1984, preserving the physical traces of their artistic process, including paint-splattered floors and custom speaker systems.
• Krasner aggressively promoted Pollock's legacy after his death while simultaneously developing her own distinct style, a duality the exhibition seeks to honor.

Background

Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner moved to a farmhouse in Springs, N.Y., in the winter of 1945. The location, now a historical site run by Stony Brook University, became the epicenter of Abstract Expressionism. Pollock, born in Cody, Wyoming, and Krasner, the child of Jewish immigrants in Brooklyn, developed a relationship that was both professional and personal. Their partnership was complicated by Pollock's heavy drinking and affairs, including a relationship with Ruth Kligman, which led to Krasner's temporary departure to Paris in the mid-1950s. Pollock died in a car accident in 1956, leaving Krasner to manage his legacy and continue her own artistic development for another 28 years.

Why it matters

This exhibition challenges the long-standing myth that Lee Krasner was merely a secondary figure in the history of American modern art. By presenting their careers in parallel, it offers a more accurate account of the Abstract Expressionist movement, recognizing Krasner's significant contributions and her ability to innovate on a large scale after Pollock's death. It also highlights the importance of preserving physical spaces like the Pollock-Krasner House, which serve as tangible connections to the creative processes that reshaped the art world.

What to watch

The exhibition 'Krasner and Pollock: Past Continuous' will remain on view at the Metropolitan Museum of Art until January 31, 2027. A companion catalogue by David Breslin and Brinda Kumar is available for purchase. Visitors can also tour the Pollock-Krasner House and Study Center in East Hampton, N.Y., to see the preserved studio and living spaces where the artists worked.