Beside the sea No.24 1962 - Robert Motherwell - Framed art Print

Born in Aberdeen, WA in 1915, Robert Motherwell was a notable figure in the American art scene. His style, deeply rooted in Abstract Expressionism, was strongly shaped by the Surrealist ideology of automatic writing and drawing. This intuitive technique came to define his most recognised work: the Elegy to the Spanish Republic series. This expansive series, comprised of 150 black and white pieces, showcased Motherwell's belief that painting was a cognitive actualization medium akin to music.

Guided by art historian Meyer Schapiro at Columbia University, Motherwell began his journey into painting. This journey introduced him to contemporary artists like William Baziotes, Jackson Pollock, and Willem de Kooning in the 1940s. His influence would later be felt at Black Mountain College, where he tutored future artists like Cy Twombly and Robert Rauschenberg.

In 1957, he crossed paths with painter Helen Frankenthaler. The pair's shared passion for abstract poetry in art kindled their work and eventually led to marriage in 1960. Today, Motherwell's artistic legacy persists, with his creations on display at well known institutions, including The Museum of Modern Art, the Tate Modern, and the National Gallery of Art. He died in Cape Cod, MA in 1991.